5,000 Tamil Nadu lawyers march in protest against amendment to Advocate's Act

Chennai: Over 5,000 advocates from across Tamil Nadu took out a rally in Chennai Monday demanding that the Madras High Court withdraw its recent amendment to the Advocate’s Act enabling the High court to debar erring advocates. The advocates, led by Madras High Court Advocates’ Association, threatened to stage an indefinite protest till the notification, amended on May 25 by the Madras high court as per the Supreme Court verdict in R K Anand case of 2009, was withdrawn.

The procession, commencing from Triplicane police station on Walajah Road at 11 am, culminated near Chepauk Government guesthouse. While advocates carried placards highlighting their demands, vehicles and tableaux also took part in the rally. A chariot carried an advocate attired like the ‘Just King’ Manu Needhi Cholan, a Chola emperor who ruled in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and famous for dispensing justice in an even manner, even executing his son for a heinous religious crime against a cow.

Advocates from over 135 Bar Associations from 35 districts, including Puducherry, took part in the agitation. Addressing the gathering, R C Paul Kanagaraj, president, MHAA, said advocates would face serious difficulties in pursuing their profession in the courts if the notification comes into the force. He said several forces were making attempts to divide the lawyer community in the State.