The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur has taken suo motu cognizance of the non-functioning of the State Bar Council of Chhattisgarh, leading to the registration of a public interest litigation (PIL).
The State Bar Council’s non-functioning has resulted in a halt to various essential activities, including the admission of advocates, maintenance of rolls, determination of misconduct, protection of rights, promotion of law reforms, and organization of welfare schemes, since 2021.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal heard arguments from the Additional Advocate General for the State, Y S Thakur, and the counsel for the Bar Council of India, Shivang Dubey, as well as Palash Tiwari, representing the State Bar Council.
Tiwari informed the court that the term of the last elected body of the State Bar Council ended on February 2, 2021, and no fresh elections have taken place due to issues with verification rules.
The Bar Council of India has constituted a Special Committee to oversee the affairs of the State Bar Council.
The State Bar Council has been requesting the Bar Council of India to appoint an observer and returning officer to conduct elections, but no action has been taken yet.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on February 12, 2025, and directed the parties to file their responses before the next hearing date.