Declaring the lawyers' strike in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as "illegal" and terming the situation "alarming", the Bar Council of India (BCI) has warned that office bearers of the two state bar councils would be suspended if they fail to call off the stir at the earliest.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in an order stated that due to the strike, the "common peace-loving and sincere advocates are also suffering besides the helpless litigants" and the "strikes/ abstentions are declared illegal".
"The situation is alarming. The image of bar is being tarnished to a great extent because of such unruly handful of advocates," the order read.
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BCI had earlier also warned the Tamil Nadu lawyers that disciplinary action would be taken against them for indulging in court boycott to protest against certain amendments made to existing rules under the Advocates Act.
Taking a strong note of lawyers abstaining from work, which is continuing since last month despite several requests and appeals, BCI directed both the state Bar Council to make sure that the strike is called off by July 22 at the earliest or else the office bearers of the striking bar associations will be suspended and will not be allowed to contest in any election with the association or Bar Council in future.
It said the ongoing situation is being criticised by the Judiciary, government and the public and asked the state bar councils to give names of the office bearers of striking bar associations to initiate their suspension order, if they fail to call off the strike by July 22.
On May 25, the Madras High Court had issued a notification making amendments to existing rules under the Advocates Act with a view to ensure peaceful conduct of court proceedings and suggested disciplinary action to be taken against erring advocates.
However, on June 13, Chief Justice of Madras High Court had said he would not act against lawyers in pursuant to the amended rules, but he could not prevent BCI from proceeding against bar associations if they continue agitation.
