Telangana HC Allows Enrolment of Law Graduates As Advocates

Hyderabad: A division bench of the Telangana High Court on Friday allowed the enrolment of law graduates as advocates, staying the operation of a single judge’s interim order that had put the process on hold till August 31. The bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin passed the order on an appeal filed by law graduate Kaluva Bhuvana Srija Reddy, who had challenged the August 11 order of the single judge that had directed the interim enrolment committee of the Telangana State Bar Council to keep the process in abeyance.

Srija Reddy told the bench that she had submitted her enrolment application on July 27 and was scheduled to take the oath on August 13. The single judge’s order had halted the process, adversely affecting her opportunity to enter the profession and earn a livelihood.

The single judge had issued the interim orders in a petition challenging the constituting the committee. That petition had raised objections stating that the setting up of the committee was contrary to Section 58 of the Advocates Act and sought its suspension and the constitution of a regular enrolment committee.

However, counsel for the appeallant before the division bench on Friday contended that the committee had already enrolled several law graduates without any objection before the August 11 order was passed. He argued that the Bar Council body continued to function as the newly elected body had not yet taken oath or assumed charge.

Referring to Sections 3(2), 10(1)(b) and 58 of the Advocates Act, 1961, appellant’s counsel submitted that the committee consisted of members authorised under the statutory framework. He argued that the single judge ought to have considered whether the writ petitioner had himself applied for enrolment or had any personal grievance against the committee. The appeal also contended that the blanket stay had caused serious prejudice to candidates who had already applied and were awaiting enrolment. It was argued that the order directly affected their professional prospects and livelihood.

The division bench’s Friday order staying the interim direction paves the way for the enrolment process. Adjudication of the main dispute over the constitution of the committee before the single judge is pending.

Accused In Balapur Fake Masala Case Challenges Police Action Against Him

Hyderabad: An accused in the fake masala case of Balapur approached the Telangana High Court challenging the police authority in registering and prosecuting the case. Vikas Agarwal, fourth accused in the case, approached the court seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings against him. Justice J. Sreenivas Rao directed the police to submit their contention in the petition.

According to the petitioner, the police had no authority to register a case as matters relating to food adulteration were governed exclusively by the Food Safety and Standards Act, which provided a specific statutory mechanism for inspection, seizure, sampling, analysis and prosecution. He contended that the police could not bypass this procedure by invoking general penal provisions under the BNS.

Public prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao, representing the police, submitted that food adulteration had become a serious issue. Hence, the police were taking strict action against those involved in such activities.