Apex Court To Lay Down Guidelines To Strengthen And Streamline Functioning Of Bar Associations Across The Country

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has initiated discussions on the formulation of guidelines for strengthening and enhancing the status and streamlining the overall functioning of Bar Associations throughout the country. 

The matter has been titled: “In Re: Strengthening of the Institution of Bar Associations" and will be heard by the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Datta on April 8.

The decision to address this issue came in response to a case brought before the Court regarding allegations of discrimination and elitism within the Madras Bar Association (MBA). The case was sparked by an incident wherein a lawyer was barred from accessing water within the MBA's premises by another lawyer, purportedly because the former was not a member of the association.

During the hearing on March 4, the Court noted, "Mr. Shekhar Naphade and Mr. A. Sirajuddin, learned Senior Counsels, on instructions from Mr. Elephant G. Rajendran (party in person), Mr. A. Mohandoss, Mr. S. Mahaveer Shivaji, and Mr. Vijay Narayan state that they do not want to press the allegations made against Senior Advocate Mr. P.H. Pandian (since deceased), or the Madras Bar Association, and they unconditionally withdraw all such allegations."

Senior Advocate Shekhar Naphade appearing in the matter, further stated that the purpose of filing these special leave petitions is to seek uniform guidelines to strengthen the institution of Bar Associations throughout the country.

Noting that the purpose for filing the present Special Leave Petitions is to seek uniform guidelines to strengthen the institution of Bar Associations Nationwide, the Bench ordered, "Issue notice for the limited purpose of laying down the broad guidelines that may be followed for strengthening and enhancing the status and streamlining the overall functioning of Bar Associations throughout the country, returnable on 08.04.2024."

Accordingly, the matter will be heard on April 8.

Cause Title: A. Mohandoss v. The Registrar General & Ors. [SLP No. 3950/2024]

Appearance:

Petitioner: Senior Advocates Shekhar Naphade, A. Sirajuddin, Dr. S. Muralidhar,  Advocates Purnima Bhat, Aishwarya Dash, Farah Hashmi, Salonee Paranjape,  M.A. Karthik, Pankaj Agarwal, Nitya Aggarwal, Maitreya Subramaniam, Abbinabh Garg, Pallak Bhagat, Anshuman Srivastava, Abhinabh Garg

Respondents: Senior Advocates S. Gurukrishnakumar, Arvind P. Datar, Advocates V. Balaji, S. Shiva S., P. Dinesh Kumar, T. Harish Kumar, Rakesh K. Sharma

Click here to read/download the Order