'Lawyers' chambers have become ‘addas’ of property dealers': SC on Haryana district bar bodies

Lamenting that district bar councils in Punjab and Haryana indulged in "shameful acts", "malpractices" and "massive corruption", the Supreme Court on Tuesday hinted at an SIT probe into the affairs.

"The offices and chambers of lawyers of these state bar councils have become a hub of property dealers and corruption. They are indulging in all kinds of shameful acts and malpractices. It has come to our notice and we will not leave them lightly. They have brought disrepute to the profession," a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said.

The Bench – which also included Justice N Kotiswar Singh – said it would constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to look into their affairs and scrutinise the bank accounts of the bar bodies, especially in Haryana, if needed.

As senior counsel Narender Hooda referred to allegations against bar leaders, Justice Surya Kant said, "These allegations may be correct… We have no doubt at all in our mind that all these office-bearers are involved in such shameful acts and are bringing disrepute to the profession. I have seen so many district bars associations, they are indulging in all kinds of malpractices and corruption. The Government of Haryana has pampered them. These chambers of advocates have become ‘addas’ (den) of property dealers. No serious professional is sitting there."

While hearing a petition relating to an election dispute of the Karnal Bar Association, the Bench asked senior advocate RS Cheema to suggest names of respected members of the Karnal Bar to whom the Association’s affairs could be entrusted as an interim measure. It also issued notice on advocate Sandeep Chaudhary’s petition and posted the matter for April 15.

On behalf of the petitioner, Hooda submitted that his client was debarred from contesting, pending an inquiry. On appeal, the Bar Council of India (BCI) stayed the order. However, without issuing a notice, the high court allowed an appeal against the BCI’s order on February 27 -- the very day that it was listed for the first time and the election was held on February 28.

Four candidates were elected unopposed, Hooda said, adding, "Not a single vote was cast, this is what the Bar Council seems to be interested in…”