Shillong, Aug 14: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association to reconsider and withdraw their joint resolution seeking action against Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar.
The Meghalaya bar bodies had passed a resolution expelling Kumar from their rolls and calling for his removal as Advocate General. They objected to his alleged remarks that bar associations had failed to provide a safe environment for women lawyers.
The SCBA said the resolution was unwarranted as the issue was already before the Meghalaya High Court. It noted that Kumar, appearing as Advocate General, had informed the court of action taken in the case and submitted that while the safety of bar members must be protected, equal attention must be given to the safety and dignity of women advocates and law interns.
“Since these submissions were made during judicial proceedings in a matter already before the Meghalaya High Court, seeking action against the Advocate General for those submissions was unwarranted,” the SCBA said. It also expressed concern that the resolution could further escalate the controversy.
The SCBA urged the associations to withdraw the resolution and instead work towards a confidential mechanism for women advocates and law interns to raise grievances and seek redressal. “The safety and dignity of every member of the legal profession must remain a collective responsibility of the Bar,” it said.
The controversy arose during High Court proceedings on the alleged assault and public parading of an advocate in Shillong, who was earlier accused of molesting a law intern. The court also expressed concern over the police’s failure to act despite being present at the time.
