HC notice to BCI on plea against Madurai Bar Association panel

The Madras High Court Bench here today ordered notice to the Bar Council of India on a petition seeking to supercede the Managing Committee of the Madurai Bar Association (MBA) for alleged mismanagement of its affairs and resorting to strikes often.
The petition also sought appointment of a special officer, a retired high court Judge, in order to form a new committee as per the rules and by-laws of the association.
A bench, comprising Justice V.Ramasubramanian and Justice N Kirubakaran, hearing the petition by one M.Mohamed Rafi, ordered notice to the BCI and others, returnable in two weeks.
The petitioner submitted that the present Managing Committee's tenure expired three and half years ago and it was unlawful.

Besides, two members of the committee MBA Secretary A K Ramaswamy and President P.Dharmaraj had been barred from practicing law and suo motu contempt action had been taken against them by high court for organising demonstration against a judgement.
The activities of the MBA were not in furtherrance to the objectives of the Association registered under the Society Act. Ramaswamy was an insolvent also and not qualified to hold the post of Secretary, he contended.

"The affairs of the MBA are mismanaged. They went on strike often and did not maintain proper account books," the petitioner alleged.
He had sent a representation to the Inspector General of Registration and the state Chief Secretary as well as the BCI and the Tamilnadu and Puduchery Bar Counil but so far no action had been taken, the petitioner said.

He also sought a stay on the power of the managing committee members to operate bank accounts and the functioning of the panel itself.