Gujarat Lawyers' Strike Enters Third Day Over Rent Bill, Court Work Hit Across State
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Court proceedings across Gujarat remained affected as lawyers continued their protest against the Gujarat Rent Bill-2026, with bar associations preparing further programmes to intensify the agitation.
Lawyers in Ahmedabad and several other districts have stayed away from court work as part of the protest, affecting proceedings and thousands of cases. Bar associations have demanded withdrawal of the Bill or changes to provisions they oppose.
Lawyers Plan Further Protests
The Ahmedabad Bar Association and Small Causes Court Bar Association have been holding discussions on the next phase of the agitation.
Lawyers have announced plans for demonstrations at judicial complexes, including protests at court entrances. The associations have also been discussing representations to the state government and other authorities.
The Ahmedabad High Court Advocates Association is also scheduled to discuss the issue and the next course of action.
The protest programme announced by bar associations extends up to October 3, with further action possible depending on the government's response.
Court Work Disrupted Across Gujarat
The agitation has affected courts in Ahmedabad as well as districts including Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Bharuch, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Panchmahal, Narmada and Banaskantha.
In Ahmedabad, lawyers have boycotted proceedings at the Bhadra City Civil and Sessions Court, Small Causes Court, Family Court, Ahmedabad Rural Court and other forums. At Bhadra, lawyers previously blocked the entrance as part of the protest.
The disruption has affected hearings and other court-related work, with lawyers' absence also raising concerns over delays in cases and deadlines.
Why Are Lawyers Opposing The Rent Bill?
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Rent Bill-2026 unanimously on September 11.
The Bill proposes a new framework for resolving landlord-tenant disputes through Rent Authorities, Rent Courts and Rent Tribunals. It also provides for written rental agreements and caps security deposits at three months' rent.
Lawyers' principal objection centres on provisions that would increase the role of administrative authorities in rent-related disputes.
Bar associations have argued that transferring functions traditionally handled by civil courts to administrative machinery could affect the judicial process and create difficulties for litigants and advocates.
Government Faces Pressure As Protest Continues
The protesting lawyers have demanded that the government withdraw the Bill or amend the provisions to which they have objected.
Bar associations have also planned awareness programmes and representations to the Chief Minister, Law Minister and Governor as part of their campaign.
With the court boycott continuing, the immediate focus is on whether discussions between the government and representatives of the legal fraternity lead to changes in the proposed law or further escalation of the agitation.
