The Madras High Court on Tuesday issued a direction that the time for payment of arrears to the Advocates Welfare Fund of the Bar Council of India (BCI) by advocates enrolled in the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu (BCT) be extended till January 19.
Thereafter, the Bar Council should fix the revised eligible voters' list for the election to the BCT by January 27.
Disposing of a writ petition, Justice P.Jyothimani said the extension of time till January 19 was being given only in the present circumstances to enable advocates who had enrolled themselves in the BCT to have one more chance.
In the petition, R. Subburaj prayed for a direction to the BCT to include his name in the voters' list for election to BCT scheduled for March 4 this year to enable him to exercise his right.
In the final list of voters, the petitioner's name did not figure. It was admitted that the petitioner had not paid the arrears of subscription to the Advocates Welfare Fund of the BCI.
Advocate-General P.S.Raman said in respect of payments to be made, as per the BCI rules, a final chance may be given to all the members registered in the BCT to pay the arrears.
This would enable them to be included as members eligible to vote in the election for which the process had already begun.
In such view of the matter, Mr.Justice Jyothimani said he was disposing of the petition with directions.
He said in respect of any omissions, by mistake, in including the names of persons, the provisions of the BCT Election Rules should be scrupulously followed. Unless such objections were made by advocates to the Secretary within 15 days before the date of polling, the Secretary was not bound to take up any other objections.
The Judge made it clear that any objections made beyond the 15 days should not be considered by the Secretary, BCT.
