Chennai: The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Monday revoked the suspension of 125 advocates involved in staging demonstrations in July demanding withdrawal of new disciplinary rules by Madras high court.
The council dropped the punitive action following a report by Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTP) stating that advocates had suspended their agitation and normalcy returned in courts across States after a gap of nearly 70-days, said D. Selvam, Chairman, BCTP.
Speaking to reporters, Selvam said based on the recommendation of State Bar Council, the suspension order dated 23 July was being withdrawn. Advocates were suspended by BCI two days prior to their attempt to picket the high court in support of their demand.
In a report to BCI, the State Bar Council had stated that office-bearers of joint action committee appeared before the high court rules committee on August 19 and expressed their grievances regarding the amended rules. Meanwhile, the high court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul added two more judges to the existing five members Rules Committee.
The State Bar Council had stated that members of Bar are attending courts without problems and maintaining conducive atmosphere between the Bench and the Bar. Hence, it requested BCI to revoke the suspension of 125 lawyers.
Withdrawing the suspension order, BCI said the matter appears to have been resolved fully and advocates started attending courts. In view of this, it was withdrawing the suspension order.
Selvam said BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra would meet members of Bar associations early next month in Chennai. Talking about suspension of 44 advocates for staging demonstrations last year, he said State Bar Council will hold a meeting with Mishra and settle the issue amicably.
