Despite BCI stay, Hisar bar says will go ahead with scheduled polls

Hisar: Members of the Hisar Bar Association on Thursday resolved to proceed with the scheduled elections on June 12, despite an interim stay imposed by the Bar Council of India (BCI) on the ongoing election process.The decision was taken unanimously at a General House meeting held at the Bar Hall. Advocates said the election process had already progressed substantially, with nominations filed and scrutiny completed. The General House also decided to submit a detailed reply to the BCI notice questioning the basis of the interim order. Election officer Dilip Jakhar said a large number of lawyers attended the meeting and opposed postponement at this stage. He said the General House had decided to respond to the BCI with relevant facts and proceed with polling on the scheduled date.Jakhar told the gathering he was prepared to face any action the Bar Council might initiate. Several advocates expressed solidarity, saying the matter concerned the entire Bar and not an individual office-bearer. During the meeting, some advocates argued that the Bar Council had no authority to interfere in the association's internal election process, and alleged that the intervention could affect the traditionally cordial atmosphere within the Bar.The development follows an interim order issued by Apurba Kumar Sharma, chairman of the executive committee of the Bar Council of India, after complaints were received from certain members of the Hisar Bar. The complainants alleged the proposed election process was not being conducted in accordance with rules and guidelines framed by the BCI and the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council. According to the complaint, elections of bar associations across the state are required to follow a uniform procedure and schedule, and the complainants alleged the process adopted in Hisar was inconsistent with these norms. Acting on the complaint, the BCI stayed the election process and sought a reply from the Hisar Bar Association within three days. MSID:131509385 413 |