Saini’s appointment as Bar assn president draws flak

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, December 23

Setting a new trend this year, the Amritsar Bar Association (ABA) has elected advocate Pardeep Saini as its president after he agreed to pay Rs 15 lakh for the development of Bar.

The development has not gone down well among many lawyers, who reasoned that if the post was to be sold, then it should have been given to the highest bidder. To protest against the move, a few lawyers have also submitted a cheque of Rs 17 lakh for the post of president for the next term.

“As every citizen concerned is worried about the use of money and muscle power in elections, such a move from legal fraternity is highly questionable,” said advocate Swarandeep Singh.

Meanwhile, in election for the remaining posts held yesterday, Rajan Kataria was elected as general secretary as he got 552 votes against his rival Gurjit Singh Nagra, who polled 522 votes. Gurmit Singh Mann was elected vice-president of the ABA as he defeated Sudhir Sharma and PS Walia for the post.

Advocates said unanimous appointment of Saini was made possible as rival candidate Kanwar Mubarak Singh withdrew his nominations at the last minute. “No time was left for members to choose a candidate for the election of president. It was a game played by a few. Most members had no knowledge about it,” said advocate Kuljeet Singh Malawali.

Advocates stated that prestigious bodies as Bar associations should not be turned into political outfits by imitating their gimmicks. Advocate Satinder Singh Wadala said, “Decision to appoint a president unanimously should be taken by the general House of the Bar association and not by a bunch of people.”

Another advocate Preetpal Singh said senior leaders, who had taken the decision, betrayed sentiments of members of the Bar association.

He said, “If a person comes and says that he should be made Chief Minister of Punjab because he is ready to pay Rs 100 crore for development of the state, then does it go with the spirit of democracy?”