Will Issue Notice To Advocates Association For Resolving To Not Represent Sedition Accused, State Bar Council Tells Karnataka HC

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj, while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Ramesh Naik K, orally observed "Is it not unprofessional on the part of the lawyers to issue such a resolution? Should you (KSBC) not take action against such lawyers. Look at the resolution, some member of the Bar has signed this. The Bar Council must be proactive. These are societies of lawyers."

Mysore City Advocates Multipurpose Cooperative Society (society) had On January 16, 2020, passed a resolution barring its members from representing Nalini Balakumar, who was charged with sedition for holding a 'Free Kashmir' placard during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) held at the Mysore University last year.

The petitioner also submitted that KSBC's silence in the matter has proved to be the most harmful. Had they reacted in a timely manner, the things would not have turned unpleasant. He added politicisation of the Bar cannot be permitted.

The matter will be heard next on April 20