Bar Council adopts zero-tolerance policy for registration of false cases

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana on Sunday made it clear that it would adopt zero-tolerance policy towards registration of ‘false and frivolous cases’ against the advocates from the two states — Punjab and Haryana, and the UT of Chandigarh.

At the same time, the Bar Council has also authorised its chairman to take up the issues of advocates with the Director Generals of Police (DGPs) of Punjab, Haryana and the Administrator of Chandigarh.

The decision, taken during the Council’s General House meeting, under the chairmanship of its chairman Dr Vijender Singh Ahlawat, came after issue of registration of an FIR against advocates — SK Garg Narwana, Diwan Balkisan and KD Nain — was discussed at length.

Ahlawat appreciated the immediate steps taken by Haryana Chief Minister as well as of Haryana DGP, IG CID and Panchkula Commissioner of Police on the demand of the delegation of the Bar Council members.

During the meeting, the Bar Council unanimously passed the resolution that it would protect the interest of advocates and “will not tolerate registration of cases against the advocates without informing the chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana as registration of the false cases against the advocates hamper the administration of justice and effects interest of general public”.

“In view of the resolution of the General House, the Bar Council chairman shall sent a communication to Haryana DGP and Punjab DGP with the request to inform the Bar Council chairman before registration of any FIR or case against any advocate,” said Council’s secretary Harpreet Singh Brar, after the meeting.

Another important decision was taken regarding annual election of the Bar Associations throughout the states of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh, scheduled to be held on April 6, 2018, and resolved that in case, if any, Bar Association violates ‘The Bar Associations (Constitution and Registrations) Rules-2015’, the Bar Council shall take strict action.

Further, Bar Council also appreciated the cooperation and compliance of the Rules by the most of the Bar Associations of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh.

“In case, any Bar Association failed to submit list of voters and appointment of Returning Officer along with elections scheduled up to March 15, 2018, to the Bar Council, it will constitute an ad-hoc committee for conducting election of the concerned bar associations as per Rules,” said Brar.

Earlier, the General House unanimously accepted the resignation of its vice chairman Karanjit Singh and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Vice Chairman for outstanding services rendered by him. In his pace, the General House unanimously elected Rajeev Kaswan for the post, who resigned from the post of honourary secretary which was also accepted by the General House unanimously.

In his place, Harpreet Singh Brar was appointed as Secretary, who assured the House that he will continue to strive for the welfare of legal fraternity.