HC orders Bar bodies to form rules for polls

Acting on a recent writ petition filed by advocates seeking directives to curb the irregularities in holding elections of Bar Associations (BAs) and other malpractices affecting lawyers in the Capital, the Delhi High Court has directed the Bar Council of Delhi (BCI), the HC Registrar, the Supreme Court Bar Association and other Bar Associations of Delhi to hold a meeting and form the rules.

Pointing out that the tenure of various BAs is not fixed and the elections are conducted almost throughout of the year, counsel of the petitioners Amar Nath Saini said a BA often interferes in the election of another. Since advocates hold the membership of more than one association, they also vote in multiple elections, affecting free and fair polls to the bodies.
Rakesh Tiku, chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi, told Newsline that the need for the petition emerged in view of the disparity in the functioning of BAs. “One advocate can be a member of many Bar and enjoy all facilities, but his/her voting right should be confined to one.”