Karnal Bar Association dispute escalates, committee formed to resolve deadlock

Tension gripped the Karnal District Bar Association on Tuesday as two rival factions of advocates clashed over the recently held elections. The dispute erupted after one group organised an oath-taking ceremony for newly elected office-bearers, which was vehemently opposed by the other.

Advocate Surjit Madhan was declared president on February 28 without any voting. However, when he, along with other officials, took the oath of office, members of the rival faction arrived, leading to a heated confrontation. Despite police deployment, the situation remained volatile, prompting authorities to lock the Bar room and form a committee with five members from each group to manage the crisis.

The Bar Association elections, originally scheduled for February 28, were marred by controversy. Two candidates — outgoing president advocate Sandeep Choudhary and advocate Surjit Madhan — were in the fray for the top post. However, Choudhary faced allegations of financial irregularities related to the construction of advocate chambers. The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana disqualified him from contesting for three years. Though he initially secured relief from the Bar Council of India, the Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld his disqualification on February 27.

Following the court ruling, advocate Gopal Chauhan was appointed acting president by the association’s House. He postponed the elections and appointed a new returning officer (RO) to reschedule them. However, another faction, led by advocate Vinay Bansal — appointed as RO by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana — ignored the postponement and conducted the elections as planned. With no opposing candidates for key positions, Bansal declared the results without voting.

Advocate Chauhan, whose licence was suspended by the Bar Council on February 28, dismissed the election as “bogus,” arguing that Bansal had no authority to conduct it. “Bansal had been debarred by the House, and elections had already been postponed. His process was invalid,” he claimed.

Bansal, however, defended the elections. “We conducted the elections as per the Bar Council’s directives. Since there was only one candidate for president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary, they were elected unopposed. The oath-taking followed accordingly. When the newly elected office- bearers proceeded to take charge, they were stopped,” he asserted, rejecting claims of being debarred.

Despite the declaration of office-bearers, Choudhary’s faction is demanding fresh elections. Chauhan stated that except for the president’s post, elections for other positions have been rescheduled for March 7. “Both groups will submit their documents to DSP Manoj Kumar, who will forward them to the District and Sessions Judge for a final decision,” he said.

Former Bar Association president advocate Nirmal Staundi termed the conflict unfortunate, warning that such disputes tarnish the association’s reputation. Meanwhile, DSP Manoj Kumar assured that law and order would be maintained, urging both factions to resolve their differences amicably.