TN Bar Council chief’s action was contemptuous: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed the need for a fresh look at Tamil Nadu Bar Council chairman R K Chandramohan’s conduct in going into a Madras HC judge’s chamber and attempting to influencing him at behest of then telecom minister A Raja in an anticipatory bail case.

On December 15, SC had stayed two directions of HC issued on December 7 in a contempt case against Chandramohan. A bench comprising Justices D K Jain and H L Dattu said it had stayed certain directions of HC under misconception that Chandramohan’s right to practise had been curtailed. This observation from the bench came after advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for E Rajendran, said the apex court’s stay order had sent out a wrong signal, considering that the state bar council chief’s action was contemptuous to say the least.

Chandramohan allegedly told Justice R Reghupathy in June 2009 that he should consider the anticipatory bail plea of accused as Raja wanted so and told the judge to speak to the minister who was on the line. Chandramohan’s counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, objected to the HC directing suspension of his client. Rohatgi said the BCI was within its powers to withdraw any complaint pending before a state bar council, but wondered whether the HC could issue a direction in that regard.