Jalandhar(04/10/2025): A joint meeting of all Bar Associations of Punjab was held at Hotel Ambassador, Jalandhar, under the leadership of the District Bar Association, Jalandhar. The meeting was presided over by Aditya Jain, President of the Jalandhar Bar Association, and conducted by Rohit Gambhir, Secretary.
At the beginning of the meeting, Advocate Rohit Gambhir extended a warm welcome to all the office-bearers from various districts and sub-divisions of Punjab. Subsequently, the presidents and secretaries of different district and sub-divisional Bar Associations shared the stage and discussed in detail several important issues concerning the legal fraternity of Punjab.
After detailed deliberations, the following unanimous resolutions were passed:
All Bar Associations strongly opposed the proposal to implement the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 in Punjab. It was stated that Punjab already has a robust and dense judicial structure, where each tehsil and sub-tehsil lies within 25–30 kilometers of regular courts. Hence, the purpose and logic of the Gram Nyayalayas Act do not apply to Punjab. All Bar Associations resolved to oppose any such proposal peacefully and democratically.
On the demand for a 5-day working week, it was resolved that until the demand is accepted, all working Saturdays will be observed as “No Working Day” across Punjab.
The joint body also demanded that, on the lines of states like Rajasthan, the Advocate Protection Act be immediately implemented in Punjab to ensure the safety, dignity, and independence of advocates.
All members unanimously decided that the tenure of the executive committees of all Bar Associations in Punjab should be extended from one year to two years to maintain administrative continuity, enable effective execution of welfare schemes, and successfully implement long-term development plans.
The meeting also strongly condemned the amendment made on 10.12.2020 to Section 16 of the Punjab Land Revenue Act. It was stated that this amendment has curtailed the revision and appellate powers of revenue officers, resulting in serious difficulties for litigants, increased case pendency, and weakening of the judicial framework.
For better coordination and implementation of decisions, the state of Punjab was divided into six zones:
Zone I: Fazilka, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda
Zone II: Patiala, Mohali (S.A.S. Nagar), Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar
Zone III: Sangrur, Malerkotla, Barnala, Mansa
Zone IV: Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur
Zone V: Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr (S.B.S. Nagar), Hoshiarpur
Zone VI: Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot
It was also unanimously decided that all Bar Associations of Punjab will hold time-bound discussions with the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court for the resolution of the above issues.
If the issues remain unresolved, a statewide peaceful movement will begin on 28 October 2025.
The meeting concluded with the decision that copies of the passed resolutions will be sent promptly to the concerned authorities and institutions for necessary action.
Among those present were Aditya Jain (President, District Bar Association Jalandhar), Rohit Gambhir (General Secretary), Ram Chhabra, Sahil Malhotra, Suraj Pratap, Sonalika, Maninder Sachdeva, Paras Chaudhary, Neha Atri, and office bearers from Fazilka, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Patiala, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Barnala, Mansa, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot Bar Associations.
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Legal