Five advocates get conditional bail

The Madras High Court today granted conditional bail to five advocates who were arrested for laying seige to the High Court premises here during a protest against recently amended Advocates Act on July 25.
Justice S Vaidyanathan granted conditional bail to the advocates and directed them to remain in Villupuram district for two weeks.
They were ordered to be released on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and two government sureties for the like amount.
The lawyers were directed to present themselves before the Villupuram Town Police Station daily at 11 am and 4 pm and then report before the B1 North beach police station daily until further orders.

The advocates, who have been charged with damaging public property and obstructing the government servants from discharging their duty during the protest, shall go alone and should not indulge in any unlawful activities, the judge said.
The Madras High Court had in May amended rules under which lawyers could be barred from practice on disciplinary grounds.
The amended rules were made part of Rule 14 of the High Court by virtue of powers conferred on court under the Advocates Act, 1961.