The legal fraternity in Udaipur came to a standstill on Monday, March 11, 2024, as the Bar Association organized a pen-down strike in protest against the establishment of a virtual circle bench of the Rajasthan High Court in Bikaner. The strike disrupted judicial proceedings and legal activities in the court, with lawyers gathering at the court premises to voice their opposition.

President of the Bar Association, Bharat Joshi, expressed disappointment, stating that the Mewar-Vagad region had been betrayed by the decision to place the virtual circle bench in Bikaner. Joshi accused the Supreme Court and Union Law Minister Arjun Lal Meghwal of dealing a blow to their cause. The opposition has stopped legal proceedings across the region.

Joshi highlighted the long-standing demand for a virtual circle bench, spanning almost four decades. He emphasized the prevalence of civil and criminal cases in the region, making the need for a local bench crucial. Earlier discussions with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in Delhi had led to assurances of a virtual bench in Udaipur, but the promise remains unfulfilled. Joshi warned of further action, stating that if the demand is not met, discussions with the Law Minister will resume, and the pen-down strike will persist.