BCI issues notice to SCBA president, officer bearers over 'derogatory' remarks

The Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex lawyers' body, on Sunday, issued notices to Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Dushyant Dave and other office bearers for allegedly using derogatory, defamatory, abusive or filthy words" for the council and its members.

The statement issued by BCI said that it was pained by the fact that a few members of the Executive Committee of SCBA illegally refused to comply with its May 10 resolution to stay SCBA's decision to suspend its Secretary Ashok Arora.

BCI, in its resolution, said that the statements and comments issued by Dave and acting secretary Rohit Pandey, which appeared on social and electronic media and the messages and comments exchanged by member Ritu Bhardwaj among themselves betray a clear and hostile design of these members of Executive Committee to disregard, defame and flout the most innocuous and reasonable directions contained in BCI's unanimous resolution dated May 10, which was passed, keeping in view the dignity and prestige of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

BCI sought the response of the members of SCBA within 15 days on why appropriate disciplinary action be not taken against them under relevant sections of the Advocates Act.

It said that failing to reply will be deemed that the noticees have nothing to say in reply to the notices.

The resolution was taken during a meeting of the General Council of the BCI held on Sunday through video-conferencing, which was presided over by Vice-Chairman Satish A Deshmukh.

...we are of the prima facie view that the Members of Supreme Court Bar Association, namely, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, advocates Rohit Pandey and Ritu Bhardwaj have committed acts of misconduct punishable under relevant provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 read with Bar Council of India Rules and they deserve to be proceeded with for appropriate action as per provisions of law."
They have used derogatory, defamatory and/or filthy words and have acted in most improper, unlawful and indecent manner which cannot be said to be befitting to their status as advocates (more so as the office bearers of the Bar Association of apex court)."