BCI issues show cause notices to lawyers for anti-women remarks

The Bar Council of India (BCI) late last night issued show cause notices to two lawyers who had appeared for the accused in the December 16 gangrape case for allegedly making derogatory anti-women remarks.

"We have issued the show cause notices to M L Sharma and A P Singh for their alleged remarks made in the (BBC) documentary," BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said.

The lawyers' apex body took the decision around midnight after its executive committee meeting in which it was found that there is a "prima facie" case of professional misconduct against these lawyers.

The notices have been issued under a provision of the advocates act and their licences to practice may be cancelled if BCI is not satisfied with their response.

Meanwhile, advocate Sharma refuted the charge, saying he has said nothing wrong to anybody.

In the controversial BBC documentary on the gang rape, Sharma reportedly said such incidents of rape are bound to happen if girls go out without proper security.

"Our professional conduct is related to our client and our law. They (those opposed to the lawyers) have downloaded this documentary, have seen it themselves and have told people about that. After the order of the court, all these actions come under contempt of court and criminal offence," he said.