Gujarat HC Lawyers Boycott Court Work Over Rent Bill, Oppose Shift of Powers to Revenue Officials
What Happened
The Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association (GHCAA) has decided to abstain from court work on October 5 and 6 in protest against the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026. Lawyers oppose provisions that would transfer the adjudication of rent-related disputes from judicial courts to revenue authorities such as Deputy Collectors and Additional Collectors. The action follows statewide protests backed by the Bar Council of Gujarat, which argues that property and tenancy disputes should continue to be decided by judicial authorities rather than administrative officials.
Key Takeaways
The controversy has sparked a broader debate over judicial independence and access to justice. Legal bodies argue that shifting rent dispute resolution to revenue authorities could undermine due process and burden administrative officers with quasi-judicial functions traditionally handled by courts.