Boycott Hoshiarpur SDM: Bar

Chandigarh, October 2

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Upset over the alleged misbehaviour of Hoshiarpur SDM with advocates, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has directed the legal fraternity not to appear before him.

The Bar council had received a complaint in the form of a resolution of the District Bar Association (DBA), Hoshiarpur, regarding the conduct, misbehaviour and harsh attitude of SDM Amit Sareen towards lawyers.

On the receipt of the complaint, the matter was referred to the privilege committee of the council and a show-cause notice was issued to Sareen on September 9 to explain his position as to why an action may not be taken against him.

However, in an email to the office of the council, the SDM refuted the allegations levelled against him as well as by advocate Harish Chander and said a compromise was affected between the parties and the matter was resolved.

On September 27, DBA president and other members told the committee that on September 6, it was decided that the SDM would visit the Bar and clear his position on September 10 but he never turned up. Then Harish Chander appeared before the committee and submitted that on August 29, the SDM had abused him in the court.

The DBA also alleged that the SDM misused his position in getting many associations and bodies to stage a protest against the Bar.

In his order, committee chairman Lekhraj Sharma said: “We feel that the said action of the SDM is not only deplorable, but is condemnable, uncalled for and unwarranted.”

“Keeping in view the totality of circumstances and all facts, we are of the view that Sareen has damaged the judicial system as much as he can. Therefore, we made a recommendation to the Punjab Chief Secretary to transfer Sareen from Hoshiarpur in order to avoid any further bitterness. Also, judicial work allotted to him be withdrawn forthwith and not to allot any further task in which the advocate’s assistance is required till the SDM does not make a public apology for his alleged misconduct,” the order read. — TNS