Maintain dignity of legal profession: SC to BCI

One-liner: The Supreme Court has slammed the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council over non appearance in a matter of fake claim petitions involving advocates and said it is the duty of the Bar Council of India to maintain the dignity of the legal profession.

What the bench says: A bench noted that despite their strong observations against the Bar Council of UP on Oct 5, nobody appeared on behalf of the bar body.

• The bench, in its Nov 16 order, said that under the circumstances, it has no other alternative but to direct the Chairman and the Secretary of the Bar Council of UP to remain present before this court.
• The apex court also took note of a status report filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that out of total 92 criminal cases in various districts registered till date, 28 advocates have been named as accused in 55 cases.

Very unfortunate: It is very unfortunate that despite the fact that the FIRs have been filed as far as back in the year 2016-2017, still the investigation is reported to be pending. Even in the cases where charge sheets have been filed, no charge has been framed by the courts, the apex court noted.

• The counsel for Bar Council of India stated that despite the fact that Bar Council of UP is not cooperating and sending the names of the advocates, the BCI is ready to take necessary disciplinary action.
• The top court had earlier said that SIT was constituted pursuant to the order passed by the Allahabad HC for conducting enquiry into the cases related to causing loss in crores of rupees to the insurance firms.

Source: PTI