HP forms panel on lawyers’ access to restricted roads

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has constituted a nine-member committee to examine the issue of lawyers using restricted roads leading to the state high court and district court complex in Shimla.A notification issued by additional chief secretary (home) Kamlesh Kumar Pant on June 6 said the panel would hold consultations with authorities concerned and recommend a "practical and enduring resolution" to the issue. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.Headed by advocate general Anup Rattan, the committee comprises high court bar association president Hamender Singh Chandel, former advocate generals Shrawan Dogra and Ashok Sharma, bar council member Sanjiv Bhushan, Shimla deputy commissioner, Shimla superintendent of police, DIG (law and order) and general administration department secretary Ashish Singhmar, who will serve as convener.The move comes days after lawyers in Shimla protested against the state govt's decision to bar vehicles without valid permits from using restricted roads in the town.