SC directs BCI to file detailed reply on contempt plea

One-liner: The SC has directed the Bar Council of India to file a detailed reply on a contempt plea alleging disobedience of its order.

Direction: It asked state bar bodies to decide complaints against lawyers within a year.

• A bench said mere issuance of circular and/or sending the intimation is not enough

File report before July 14: Let the BCI file a detailed report on the compliance of court directions issued. Such a report is to be filed on or before July 14, the bench said.

Complaints against lawyers: The SC on Dec 7 last year had directed the BCI to issue directions to state bar councils to dispose of complaints against lawyers within a year.

Transferred complaints: It had further directed the BCI to dispose of the transferred complaints within a period of one year from the date of receipt of such complaints.

Integrity: The top court had said under the Advocates Act, a duty is cast upon the BCI and state bar councils to safeguard the integrity of the legal profession.

Mechanism: The court had said that 1,246 complaints are pending before the BCI. It is just and necessary that a mechanism be found for the disposal of the said complaints.

Source: PTI