Madhubani Bar Association Rejects Gender Bias Allegations, District Magistrate Investigating
The Madhubani Bar Association has formally responded to allegations of gender discrimination and humiliation made by advocate Anita Jha, refuting her claims while acknowledging that the District Magistrate is now examining the issue. This development follows reports about Jha practicing law from her car for over a decade due to alleged lack of proper workspace in the court compound.
Association President Addresses Space Constraints
Basudeo Jha, president of the Madhubani Bar Association, stated that chamber allotment depends entirely on availability and has no connection to gender discrimination. He emphasized that space limitations affect all lawyers equally, noting that even the most senior practitioners work without dedicated chambers.
"This matter is very old, and now there is a table and chair for every lawyer," Basudeo explained. "There is not enough space for everyone here. Currently, our most senior lawyer sits without a chamber. I have served in multiple leadership positions, yet I still sit in the hall with other lawyers because I don't have a chamber either."
Specific Response to Anita Jha's Claims
The association president revealed that a hall for women lawyers was constructed beside the male lawyers' hall based on Anita Jha's own application during the relevant period. According to Basudeo, 30 to 35 women lawyers currently use this facility, but Anita Jha has chosen not to occupy her allotted space there.
"Everyone has a chair and a table in the hall, including Anita ji," he asserted. The association maintains that a seat was specifically allocated to her, but she has consistently declined to use it.
District Magistrate's Involvement and Financial Constraints
Basudeo confirmed that District Magistrate Anand Sharma convened a meeting on January 20 to address the situation. "We have provided all available information to the collector," he said. "We explained that we lack both space and funds to construct additional chambers. We suggested available space upstairs that could potentially be developed if resources become available."
The District Magistrate reportedly assured the association that he would explore creating chambers specifically for women lawyers within existing constraints, though no formal commitments have been made public.
Secretary's Perspective on the Situation
Shibnath Chaudhary, Secretary of the Madhubani Bar Association, provided additional context, stating that Anita Jha had taken "an oath that she will not go to the court compound." He expressed frustration at the situation, noting that despite personal appeals, Jha has maintained her position.
"I personally requested Anita ji to come and sit in the court compound," Chaudhary revealed. "I offered to provide her a place, but she refused. Her seat remains available where she previously sat."
Regarding documentation of chamber requests, Chaudhary stated that no records exist from 2013 when Jha initially raised the issue, though he acknowledged she had written to the District Magistrate previously.
Broader Context of Infrastructure Challenges
The association representatives highlighted that space constraints represent a systemic issue affecting numerous lawyers in Madhubani. They cited examples of practitioners who have worked for 50 years without dedicated chambers, emphasizing that the problem extends beyond any single individual or gender.
With the court preparing to relocate due to space limitations, the association argues that infrastructure challenges affect the entire legal community equally. They maintain that allegations of targeted discrimination are unfounded and misrepresent the reality of shared workspace limitations.
The Indian Express attempted to contact District Magistrate Anand Sharma for comment but received no response prior to publication. The situation remains under examination as all parties await further developments in this longstanding workspace dispute.
