The practice for asking for a NOC is arbitrary under Article 22(1) of the Constitution of India. (It guarantees every person the right to consult and be defended by any legal practitioner of their choice.) A litigant must be free to change their advocate in case they are not able to pay the fees.
party to a litigation has an absolute right to appoint an advocate of his choice, to terminate his services, and to appoint a new advocate. Hence, a party cannot be compelled to obtain 'no objection' from the advocate already on record. Insisting for 'no objection' from the previous advocate will amount to putting a restriction on the right of a party to appoint an advocate of his choice.
Recently Karnataka high court has observed and held that .if the Advocate feels that he has any genuine claim or grievance against his client, the appropriate course is to return the brief with endorsement of no objection and agitate such right in an appropriate forum, in accordance with law and not indulge in arm twisting methods by holding on to the brief."
It was also held that :
There is nothing known as irrevocable vakalatnama. The right of a party to withdraw vakalatnama or authorization given to an advocate is absolute. Hence, a party may discharge his advocate any time, with or without cause by withdrawing his vakalatnama or authorization. On discharging the advocate, the party has the right to have the case file returned to him from the advocate, and any refusal by the advocate to return the file
amounts to misconduct under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961. In any proceeding, including civil and criminal, a party has an absolute right to appoint a new Advocate. Under no circumstance, a party can be denied of his right to appoint a new advocate of his choice. Therefore, it follows that any rule or law imposing restriction on the said right can't be construed as mandatory. Accordingly, Courts, Tribunals or other
authorities shall not ask for 'no objection' of the advocate already on record, to accept the vakalatnama filed by a new advocate.
under no circumstance, a party can be denied of his right to appoint a new advocate of his choice hence you can proceed through a new advocate.
You can demand at least half of the huge fee paid by you, if he or she is refusing you may give a complaint against the advocate in the bar council of Karnataka.