Ujjain: Amid high drama, Bar Association functionaries on Thursday finally bowed down lawyers’ long pending demand of elections. The term of Bar Association executive, comprising Pramod Chaubey as president and Om Sarwan as secretary, had expired on April 10, 2018. A few executive members had already tendered their resignation after end of tenure, the president and secretary continued to occupy the post. This led to resentment among lawyers. During 2017 election, the then election officer Ashok Yadav had categorically said that the tenure of new office-bearers would be of one year. Hence, the current body is continuing in office in contravention of the provisions.
A group of lawyers comprising, former presidents Arvind Gaur, Kiran Juneja, Ravindra Trivedi, Ranveeer Singh Kushwaha, Prahalad Singh Rathod, Surendra Chaturvedi and Atul Raina, have been on warpath for timely conduct of election. Under their guidance, several Bar Association members staged a dharna last week and launched a postcard drive to pressurize the current body into announcing election schedule. On Thursday, they convened a meeting to decide their next course of action, but tempers rose as they were denied entry into Bar hall. Besides, chairs inside the halls too were found chained.
Peeved over it, lawyers raised slogans. A few even tried to break the locks. In between, Bar Association president Pramod Chaubey and secretary Om Sarwan reached the spot and objected to members’ attitude. Derogatory words were also exchanged. It was followed by verbal duel and pushing and elbowing. Senior lawyers intervened before situation took turn to worse and pacified both groups. Both groups were seen making arguments and counter arguments. On the instance of seniors, both sides held discussions to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, a press release quoting Bar Association secretary Om Sarwan said that Govind Sharma Guru has been made chief election officer to conduct next elections. Guru said that he would appoint assistant elections officers and start due process of election including declaration of election schedule. Notably, this statement was issued when opponent lobby warned the current body with a special general body meeting on Friday and threatened to form a parallel body. They opposed Chaubey’s statement that their demand could not be met in wake of the death of a member.