The government today said it would not take a decision on a Law Commission report, which has proposed stringent punishment against lawyers for misconduct, before holding consultations with the legal fraternity.
Various bar bodies have alleged that the law panel prepared the report to amend the Advocates Act without properly consulting them and taking their views on board.
Members of the Bar Council of India, Adhivakta Parishad and various bodies representing advocates of Delhi courts today met Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to protest the recommendations.
Prasad said the lawyers have expressed their "serious concerns" over the recommendations of the law panel.
"The government has not taken any decision on these recommendations... I have instructed my ministry to hold effective and meaningful consultations with lawyers' bodies to understand their concerns. Till the consultations are complete, no action will be taken on the (law panel) report. After the consultations I will apply my mind," he told reporters here.
Lawyers' bodies have alleged that the Commission has proposed amendments hastily, without inviting stakeholders' suggestions.
Quoting the report they have alleged that if the recommendations are used to amend the law then the certificate of practice of an advocate can be cancelled or suspended on a complaint about his behaviour or conduct made by a judge or a judicial officer.
The amendment bill proposes imposition of fine of Rs 3 lakh and cost of proceedings in a complaint filed by a litigant against a lawyer. It further provides for payment of compensation up to Rs 5 lakh to a person aggrieved by a lawyer's misconduct.
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