HC asks lawyers' body to settle issue with advocate

The Delhi High Court today asked the New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) and an advocate, whose chamber was sealed by the lawyers' body over his alleged abusive behaviour, to settle their dispute out-of-court.
Justice G S Sistani asked NDBA and advocate Vijay Aggarwal, who represents some of the accused in 2G spectrum allocation case, to settle the issue and posted the matter for March 21.
Aggarwal was expelled from NDBA membership and his chamber at Patiala House Courts complex sealed by the lawyers' body after he allegedly threatened a lawyer and also called some bouncers in the court premises om March 1.

Challenging the NDBA's decision, Aggarwal moved the high court saying, "Powers of sealing of chambers is within the exclusive domain of NDMC and cannot be sub-delegated to the private bodies like NDBA."
To the bar association's demand for an "unconditional" written apology to it and members, Aggarwal's counsel Aman Lekhi submitted that his client is ready for it.
"Take your time, do whatever you want. But if a person is willing to give unconditional apology, now onus is on you (NDBA). Find out where the shoes are pinching," Justice Sistani said.

According to a statement issued by NDBA earlier, a general body meeting (GBM) was held to discuss the issue of "abusing, threatening and unethical behaviour" of Aggarwal.

The bar members had alleged that Aggarwal and the bouncers beat up the lawyers after some heated arguments, a charge denied by Aggarwal.
In his plea before the high court, Aggarwal sought setting aside of the minutes of the GBM and its decision expelling him from the membership of NDBA and also the order for sealing off his chamber.
The petitioner further sought an order restraining the NDBA's office bearers, members, associates, servants, employees from causing obstruction to him while appearing in courts and to carry on his profession. Earlier, NDBA had said that it would recommend to the Bar Council of Delhi to cancel Aggarwal's registration as an advocate.

A case of attempt to murder was registered against Aggarwal at the Tilak Marg police station after the incident.