15 advocates from Tamil Nadu suspended by Bar Council of India

Coming down hard on some lawyers from Tamil Nadu for storming into courtrooms shouting slogans against judges and going on strike, Bar Council of India has suspended 15 advocates, including Secretary of Madurai Bar Association A K Ramasamy, and its president P Dharmaraj, who are facing contempt proceedings.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra sent an intimation on Thursday to this effect to Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and directed all 15 to appear before the disciplinary committee formed by it on October 4 in the premises of Bar Council of Karnataka. It directed the committee to conclude proceedings within four weeks from today.

The order said the lawyers are suspended from practice and during the suspension period, they would be debarred from practice in any court or before any authority or person in India. BCI also requested Advocate General of Tamil Nadu either to present himself or to send his representative to attend the proceedings, if he feels necessary. It also directed Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to serve notices to them.

The copy of the order was sent to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court, the Registrar General of the Madras HC and to the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, with a request to place it before the Union Minister.

Mishra referred to the report of the Chairman of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that the Madras HC judges were in a 'fear psychosis' due to constantly having to watch out for slogan-shouting lawyers storming court rooms and said "this is a very strange and unfortunate situation." He castigated lawyers in Madurai who were reportedly on strike for long opposing the Madras HC making wearing of helmet mandatory, saying 'such ridiculous stand or demands by intellectuals of society is beyond imagination. No prudent men could be expected to make such irresponsible demands." Mishra recalled he had ordered BCTP Chairman to identify these lawyers and also that they be suspended immediately and to conclude disciplinary proceedings in three weeks.

However, the Chairman had expressed his inability to do so particularly leaders of the advocates, 'because of their muscle power, bad antecedents and criminal history," he said.

Recalling that Madras HC judges had to enter court halls with tight police cover after adjournment of contempt case against Ramasamy, he said "such grave and improper conduct by lawyers is really unforeseen and needs immediate stern action.

"On such issues, in my opinion the time has come when Bar Councils will have to make a drastic change in their attitude, while dealing with cases of professional misconduct, failing which the profession will lose its importance."

Mishra said the matter was discussed by Council members, all of whom felt that the lawyers's licenses should be suspended and a disciplinary committee be formed to initiate disciplinary proceedings.