Bar Council of India declares Tamil Nadu lawyers’ strike illegal

In a drastic move, the Bar Council of India on Wednesday declared as illegal the strike and abstentions from court of lawyers in Tamil Nadu and warned their leaders of suspension and disqualification from contesting any election to Bar association or Bar council.

BCI chairman Manan Kumar Misra said the situation is alarming as the image of the bar is being tarnished because of a handful of unruly advocates. The chairman said the Bar Councils and bar associations are being criticised not only by the legal fraternity and government, but also by the public at large.

The chairman said that if the strike, boycott or abstentions are not called off by July 22, the leaders/office-bearers of all the striking associations shall be put under suspension and will be disqualified from contesting election of any bar association or the bar council in future.