Delhi Bar Association Challenges Jurisdiction Overhaul Plan

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has filed a petition seeking to quash a resolution that empowered the Chief Justice to form a committee to enhance district courts' pecuniary jurisdiction from Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore. The DHCBA argues that only Parliament can make such alterations.

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has petitioned the Delhi High Court to nullify a resolution that empowers the Chief Justice to establish a committee of judges for examining the potential increase in the financial jurisdiction of Delhi's district courts from Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore.

DHCBA President and Senior Advocate N Hariharan presented the plea before a Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The matter has been scheduled for court listing today. The DHCBA, along with Hariharan, has contested the formation and activities of the judicial committee formed after a Full Court session on September 2, 2025.

The Bar Association argues that adjusting pecuniary jurisdiction falls under the legislative authority of Parliament, as per the Delhi High Court Act, 1966. The plea emphasized that the Full Court recognized a representation intended solely for the Union Law Minister, devoid of any justification for setting up the committee.