The state government Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that it would not roll back the 10-fold hike in court fees.
Refusing to roll back the upward revision of court fees, the city government said that it would not amend the Court Fee (Delhi Amendment) Act, 2012, as sought by a group of lawyers.
The Delhi High Court Bar Association in its plea sought the quashing of the hike that came into force Aug 1.
Government’s standing counsel Najmi Waziri told a division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that “the legislation is a valid one and it can’t be altered at the moment”.
“However, if any representation comes from a lawyers’ body, the government would discuss it during the ensuing assembly session,” Waziri added.
The association alleged that despite the court’s suggestion to resolve the issue, no meeting was held by the government.
The court would next hear the matter Sep 10. The court earlier stayed the notification on the fee hike following the government’s assurance to hold talks with lawyers to discuss their demands on a rollback.
According to the bar association, the notification will put a heavy financial burden on litigants.
The government has increased the court fees to collect an additional Rs.450 crore annually.
