NCSC officials hold inquiry into attack on Dalits

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes today held an inquiry with a few families, alleged victims of caste discrimination and violence in Periya Thadagam on the city outskirts recently.
Around 30 Dalits were attacked allegedly by 17 Caste Hindus for refusing to play a musical instrument during the 'Vinayaka Chathurthi' festial on September 7 and six were hospitalised with injuries.
Though a case was registered against the Caste Hindus, no arrests have been made so far, citing which the families petitioned the District Collector and expressed their willingness to move out of the area.
Taking cognizance of the matter, Research Officer of the commission, Chandraprabha and Investigative Officer S Lister met the families as part of the inquiry.

The Law panel also suggested that the BCI should
constitute disciplinary committees to look into the allegations against the errant lawyers.

It added that the committee shall inquire into any allegation or complaint of corrupt practices or misconduct against any office bearer or member of the BCI in discharge of his duties as a member of the council, which is referred to it by the council.
"The BCI shall constitute a Special Public Grievance Redressal Committee consisting of one former Judge of Supreme Court or Chief Justice of any High Court as its Chairman...," it said.
The panel said that during the pendency of a disciplinary proceeding in the complaints of grave misconduct, the state bar council may suspend advocate concerned from practice during the pendency of such proceedings.

It further suggested that no person shall be admitted as an advocate on a state roll "if he is convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude, under the provisions of the Untouchability (Offences) Act, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, contempt of court subject to any order or decision of court or if he has been dismissed or removed from service or employment under the Union or the State or its undertakings or any statutory body or Corporation."
The law panel also said that "a state bar council may on receipt of information or request, remove from the state roll, the name of any advocate who is dead, from whom a request has been received to that effect, who is found guilty of serious misconduct or abstaining from courts work or causing obstruction in court's functioning, or who has incurred any disqualification under section 24A (disqualification for enrolment)."

While suggesting amendment in the proposed punishment for advocates for misconduct, report sought that "no association of advocates or any member of the association or any advocate, either individually or collectively, shall, give a call for boycott or abstinence from courts' work or boycott or abstain from courts' work or cause obstruction in any form in court's functioning or in court premises.