Notice issued to Bar Assn chief

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 17

The infighting between lawyers has intensified after the district administration demolished chambers of advocates outside the District Court Complex a few days ago. Now, the Bar council of Punjab & Haryana has issued a notice to District Bar Association (DBA) president Guriqbal Singh Chahal for personal hearing on March 18 at Law Bhawan, Chandigarh, over a complaint lodged by advocate JR Khattar regarding the resolution passed by advocates against the DBA president alleging his negative attitude and working against the dignity of the lawyers.

As per a notice issued by the Deputy Secretary, Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana, to the DBA president, a complaint, filed by JR Khattar, has been received against him. Before taking any action on the complaint, he is called personally on March 18 at 3 pm before the committee to explain your position being DBA president.

On March 15, advocate JR Khattar had lodged a complaint with the chairman, Punjab & Haryana Bar Council. In the complaint, he said a serious dispute had arisen in the matters of running of the DBA, Bathinda, and the entire Bar association has passed the resolution against the dictatorial attitude of the president and his team.

A copy of the resolution was also attached with the complaint in which it was stated that on March 14, a majority of advocates of the District Bar Association had condemned the negative attitude of DBA president Guriqbal Singh Chahal for his working against the dignity of the advocates.

Recently, the district administration demolished about 25 chambers of the advocates without giving any prior notice on March 10. In these chambers, around 100 advocates were working and earning their livelihood. They also alleged that this action of the administration had also damaged laptops, ACs, coolers, furniture and other valuable documents were stolen and are still missing.

Further, it stated that the DBA had suspended its work since March 11, but unfortunately the president of DBA was ignoring the protest and agitation of the Bar association. It was working at the dictates of the district administration and had called off the agitation programme due to his personal interest. Around 75 advocates have signed this complaint lodged with the Punjab & Haryana Bar Council.

District Bar Association president Guriqbal Singh Chahal said he had received a notice but this was regarding some old matter. He alleged that advocate Jasvir Singh had lost an election against him in the Bar Association election, due to which he was making wrong allegation, whereas a majority of advocates are with him.