Delhi High Court refused to direct inclusion of advocates’ parents under the Delhi government’s welfare health insurance scheme. The Division Bench held the policy is a contractual arrangement between the government and insurer, barring issuance of a writ of mandamus.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court declined to issue directives to include the parents of lawyers in the health insurance coverage provided under the Delhi government’s welfare scheme for advocates.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, noted that the agreement exists solely between the Delhi government and the insurance company, and therefore, no writ of mandamus could be granted in this matter.
The Court dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the First Generation Lawyers Association.
The Court inquired,
“Can a court issue a direction to the party over a contract? Even if someone desires, by a writ of mandamus, can we direct this?”
In its petition, the organization highlighted that under the “Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme”, lawyers and their families are entitled to health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakhs. The current terms state that eligible family members include the lawyers’ spouses and children under the age of 25, while parents are excluded.
Lawyers registered with the Bar Council of Delhi and listed as voters in the national capital are eligible for benefits under the Chief Minister Advocates’ Welfare Scheme, which includes a life insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakhs.
Earlier, Bar leaders, including former Supreme Court Bar Association president Rakesh Khanna, noted that the Delhi government reopened its portal for registration, allowing city lawyers who previously missed the opportunity to register for the welfare scheme.
Under the scheme, Delhi lawyers can benefit from “the group (term) life insurance (below 75 years as on 01/08/2023) providing life cover of Rs 10 lakhs and group medi-claim insurance (below 85 years as on 31/07/2023) coverage for advocates and his/her spouse and two dependent children up to the age of 25 years for a family floater sum assured of Rs 5 lakhs.”
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The Bar Council of Delhi has also notified that advocates who are already registered under this scheme may update their credentials regarding their earlier registration through the CMAWS portal at www.cmaws.delhi.gov.in. And the changes must also be communicated via email to the Law Department at lawgnctd@delhi.gov.in for further processing.
The scheme was reopen on January 1, 2026, at 12:00 A.M. and will close on January 15, 2026.
Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, representing the petitioner, acknowledged the Bench’s remarks about the inability to issue directions regarding the PIL. He indicated his intention to withdraw the petition and instead approach the government with a representation.
The Court granted this request and disposed of the PIL.
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