The All-India Bar Association (AIBA) has expressed shock and concern over the ‘life-threatening’ phone call received by its vice-chairman S. Prabhakaran and has sought the immediate intervention of President Pratibha Patil and the Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan to ensure the advocate’s safety.
Threatening call
In a representation sent to the President and the CJI, AIBA chairman Adish C. Aggarwala said, “We are extremely shocked and hurt to hear Mr. Prabhakaran, our vice-chairman and president of the Tamil Nadu Advocates’ Association, the largest body of advocates in Tamil Nadu, has received a life threatening call, threatening him and his family members, on February 3.”
Copies of the representation were sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh; Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Justice H. L. Gokhale; and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
The AIBA said: “It is learnt that the said call has been made by someone who is disturbed by Mr. Prabhakaran’s fight against injustice. He has been in the forefront for over two decades, continuously fighting for the cause of advocates all over the country and has been assiduously leading several agitations, protests etc. in support of the advocates. That apart, he has been fighting several important, sensational and high-profile cases espousing the welfare of the society in general and advocates in particular.”