A Delhi court today allowed former journalist Santanu Saikia to argue for his bail application himself in the documents leak case as none of the advocates are appearing due to the recently extended lawyers’ strike.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal allowed Saikia to argue his bail application himself and issued production warrant against him for Saturday.

Saikia, in his application moved by his son, told the court that he has come to know that the lawyers in all the district courts of Delhi are on strike and none of them is appearing before courts since April 22.

The strike has now been extended till April 28.

He informed court that all the matters are getting adjourned and there is likelihood that his bail application listed for hearing on Saturday will also get adjourned due to the lawyers’ strike.

Apprising the court about his trauma in the prison, he requested magistrate to allow him to appear in person and argue his bail application.

Saikia, who runs a web portal, was charge sheeted for various offence dealing with cheating, forgery, trespass, theft, common intent and criminal conspiracy by Delhi Police with other 12 accused in the documents leak case.

Saikia was arrested on February 20 for his alleged role in providing secret documents of the petroleum ministry to corporate houses. Five corporate officials are also booked in the case.