SC questions bar council's silence over HC agitation

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned “inaction” of lawyers association and the regulatory body Bar Council of India (BCI) over advocates resorting to sit-ins inside courtrooms in the Madras High Court over their demands to conduct proceedings in Tamil language.

The agitation has resulted in the Madras High Court to seek from the state government CISF or similar security for conducting the proceedings.

“This is not a minor issue. Shouting slogans in courts...attacking the judges in chambers. What your associations are going to do about it? What the Bar Council of India is doing? Is there any word about it from them,” a bench presided over by Chief Justice H L Dattu said, expressing their anguish over the incidents.

“What the Chief Justice do about it...can we direct CISF security inside the courts hall,” the bench added.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Madras High Court urged the court to send a delegation of three judges to conduct an inquiry.

Chief Justice Dattu, however, said that he had a conversation with the CJ of the Madras High Court and he must be given some time.

The bench was hearing a case arising out of an order passed by Justice C S Karnan. The agitation by advocates from both Chennai and Madurai, along with children, on demand to make Tamil the official court language in the high court had last week forced the high court to seek Central Industrial Security Force personnel to protect judges.

The apex court, which adjourned the matter for three weeks, also pointed that there was a time when Madras High Court Court was referred to the great learning place for new advocates.

In the evening Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda rushed to meet the CJI at his residence to resolve the issue.