The Madras High Court has ordered the conduct of election to the Egmore Court Advocates Association in Chennai before August 30 this year and directed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP) to appoint an election officer and adequate number of other officials to assist him/her.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and C. Kumarappan also directed the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police to provide adequate protection for the peaceful conduct of the Bar election at the Egmore court premises and the declaration of the results as well on or before August 30.
The judges reminded the lawyers not to give room for any kind of complaints thereby, conducting themselves properly by maintaining absolute decorum especially because they enjoy privileges such as provision of public premises within the court campuses for conducting their association activities.
“In case any unruly behavior is there among members of bar association or any unlawful or illegal activities occur at any rate, it is incumbent upon Bar council TN & PY to take suitable disciplinary action against such advocates who engage in these,” wrote Division Bench.
Even though a request was made that a presiding officer be appointed for this exercise, all these were declined by judges on grounds that this was BCTNP’s responsibility so as to recognize bar associations and ensure principles upon which elections should be done where fairness should be key.