The recently amended Bar Council of India rules that forbid criticism of the regulatory body as well as state bar council across the country have been challenged before the supreme court.
The petition filed by two law practitioners from Mumbai and Kerala seeks interference by the supreme court imperatively to stay the operation of the impugned rules and declare them unconstitutional and void.
Section V and VA of part VI, Chapter 11 of the bar council of India rules have been challenged in the supreme court for violating the advocates Act 1961 and articles 14,19(1) (c) and 21.
The rules under challenge lay down that criticism and attack on the bar council by its members would be a ground for debarment or suspension or removal of membership of a member from the bar council.
The petition states, “It is unthinkable for a body like that of the bar council of India to bring an amendment of such ramfication, stifling the very freedom of speech and expression without which the very right to life is meaningless, keeping the bar and the public at large in darkness.
Lawcutor 