The Jharkhand High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation seeking financial assistance, health insurance, and life insurance benefits for practicing advocates in the State after recording the Jharkhand Government’s assurance that health insurance coverage for registered lawyers would be funded annually.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar noted that the primary concerns raised in the petition had been substantially addressed through policy decisions taken by the State Government.
Background of the Case
The PIL was filed by advocate Bidesh Kumar Dan, who sought directions to the Union Government and the State Government to provide financial aid to the Jharkhand State Bar Council, medical insurance coverage for advocates and their dependent family members, and life insurance benefits for practicing lawyers in the State.
During the proceedings, the State filed a supplementary affidavit through the Executive Director of the Jharkhand State Arogya Society. The affidavit informed the Court that budgetary provisions had been made for the welfare of advocates and that a policy decision had already been taken regarding health insurance coverage.
According to the affidavit, the State Government resolved that an annual premium of ₹6,000 per registered advocate would be paid towards health insurance coverage. The affidavit further stated that the policy was not a one-time arrangement and that budgetary allocations would continue every year.
Appearing for the State, counsel informed the Bench that the government had already created the necessary financial provisions and had committed itself to implementing the insurance scheme for practicing advocates.
Counsel for the petitioner and the Jharkhand State Bar Council suggested that the government resolution should be published in the official Gazette to avoid administrative hurdles during implementation.
However, the State maintained that the absence of Gazette publication would not create any difficulty in implementing the policy. Accepting this position, the Bench recorded the government's assurance as an undertaking.
The Court observed that the statements made in the affidavit and the submissions advanced on behalf of the State sufficiently addressed the concerns raised in the PIL.
“The reliefs prayed for in this petition stand substantially worked out,” the Bench noted while recording its satisfaction with the steps taken by the State Government.
Concluding that the principal reliefs sought by the petitioner had effectively been addressed through the State's policy decisions and assurances, the Jharkhand High Court disposed of the PIL without passing any further directions.
No order as to costs was made.
Case Details
Case Title: Bidesh Kumar Dan v. Union of India & Ors.
Case Number: W.P. (PIL) No. 1956 of 2021
Judges: Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar
Decision Date: June 8, 2026
