On August 1, 2023, the Advocates Amendment Bill, 2023, was presented in the Rajya Sabha, seeking modifications to the Advocates Act of 1961.
The primary focus of this legislation is to address specific concerns, particularly the annulment of certain sections associated with touts under the antiquated Legal Practitioners Act of 1879.
Addressing Tout Activities
The Advocates Amendment bill introduces measures to combat touts, defining them as individuals involved in activities such as procuring legal practitioners for payment or frequenting specific locations to secure legal business. Key features include:
Identification and Lists
The bill grants authority to High Courts, district judges, session judges, district magistrates, and revenue officers to establish and publicize lists of touts.
These lists identify individuals engaged in tout activities around civil or criminal courts, revenue offices, or railway stations. The court or judge can restrict entry for anyone named in these lists.
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Procedural Guidelines In Advocates Amendment Bill
Authorities empowered to compile tout lists can instruct subordinate courts to investigate individuals suspected of tout activities. The inclusion of names in the official tout lists is contingent upon affording the accused a fair opportunity to present their case.
Penalties Imposed
The bill institutes penalties for those identified as touts while being listed. Offenders may face imprisonment for a maximum of three months, a fine of up to Rs 500, or both.
This provision dissuades individuals from participating in tout-related activities, thereby ensuring a fair and regulated legal environment.