Lawyers Calling Themselves 'Chowkidar' In Twitter Should Not Be Permitted To Practise Law : Complaint To BCI

An advocate from Mumbai has sent a complaint to the Bar Council of India seeking disciplinary action against lawyers calling themselves "chowkidar" (security guard/watchman) in twitter.

He said that an advoacte cannot claim to be a "chowkidar" as Bar Council of India  prohibits an advocate from following any other profession while being on the rolls.

"Chowkidar or watchman profession is different and in contrast with advocacy or the legal profession. In several cases, the Bar Council of India has rules that no advocate, while practicing, shall engage in a trade or business or accept an appointment carrying a salary without previously getting an NOC from the Council. Though, an advocate is entitled for certain exemption for journalism, legal teaching, part-time advisor to corporation/government. But, allowing an advocate for 'Chowkidar' is not possible (sic)", said the complaint filed by Advocate Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi.

Last Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had added 'chowkidar' as a prefix to his twitter handle. This was part of "main bhi chowkidar" campaign, which was started to counter the "chowkidar chor hain" campaign by the opposition. Several Modi supporters have taken part in this campaign by adding 'chowkidar' to their twitter handles.

The bizarre complaint by Advocate Naqvi is in response to lawyers adding this prefix to their names in twitter. 

"Prima Facie they had given impression across the Society that he have chosen Chowkidari over their respective long legal practice. They had been more responsible lawyers than others. Thus their abandoning of legal field caused disrespect of the advocacy and legal profession. They had act and portrayed themselves as 'Chaukidar' and used the same title on their twitter handle, which shows that they had chosen the profession of 'watchman' knowingly.  he said in the complaint", the complaint read. 

The complaint has given a list of several advocates who have added this prefix,including the print outs of the screenshots of their twitter handles. He states that they have removed the prefix "advocate" from their names and that many clients are wondering whether these advocates have abandoned legal profession to become "chowkidars".

"Due to misconduct of these advocates, a lot of confusion has arisen in the society. Few of the clients are asking whether the said advocate has been designated as 'Chowkidar' after promotion or demotion. I have tired of informing the society that 'advocate' profession has nothing to do with 'watchman' profession", he said.

Saying that it is highly "unbecoming" of advocates to portray themselves as "chowkidars" ,he has called for show-cause notice against them.