Taking a firm stand against the ongoing boycott of courts across Tamil Nadu, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to the office-bearers of advocates’ associations who are leading the agitation against certain amendments to the Advocates Act.
The BCI has urged them to call off their strike by Friday or face suspension from legal practice. The BCI has also directed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to communicate the names of all the leaders or office-bearers of the striking Bar Associations latest by July 22 so that orders of suspension and disqualification could be passed.
Observing that the boycott had led to a situation which was “alarming,” the BCI said, “the image of the Bar is being tarnished to a great extent because of such unruly advocates. The Bar Councils and Bar Associations are being criticised, not only by the judiciary and the government, but also by majority of members of the legal fraternity and public at large.”
After receiving the communication from the BCI, the Chairman of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry D. Selvam appealed to the boycotting advocates to return to the courts.
A total of 151 Bar Associations across the State are said to be participating in the boycott.
