In an unprecedented action, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has suspended from its rolls 126 lawyers in Tamil Nadu, including office-bearers of some Bar associations, who have been at the forefront of the ongoing court boycott.
The suspended advocates include 21 members of the Joint Action Committee which is spearheading the agitation against the recent amendments made to the statutory rules of the Madras High Court empowering judges to debar erring lawyers. BCI co-chairman Prabhakaran confirmed the development to The Hindu .
The action was taken at the BCI’s general council meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday, ostensibly in response to the call by the protesting lawyers to lay siege to the Madras High Court on Monday. “These persons shall not be allowed to practise in any court or other forum and they shall not be treated as an advocate for any purpose,” the BCI said.
The BCI will constitute a five-member panel to hold discussions with the State Bar Council and recognised Bar associations soon.
