Punjab & Haryana Bar Council Seeks Procedure Adopted By HC In Designating Seniors, Says Complaint Received About Nepotism

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has sought details of the procedure adopted by the High Court in designating Senior Advocates, following complaints alleging nepotism and lack of transparency in the selection process.

In a resolution passed on October 23, the Bar Council said it has received numerous complaints from members of the legal fraternity and advocates practicing before the High Court as well as in the District Courts, alleging that proper procedure was not followed before finalizing the list of Senior Advocates by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Keeping in view the growing concern within the Bar and the allegations of favouritism and nepotism coupled with the fact that several meritorious candidates have been left out while many non-deserving candidates have been designated as Senior Advocates, it added.

While deferring the matter for October 31, the Bar Council sought the following information from the High Court.

1. The procedure adopted for the selection and designation of Senior Advocates.

2. Whether the same has been carried out as per the old rules or the new rules and whether it is in consonance with the judgement in Indira Jainsing's case.

3. The marks, if any, awarded to individual candidates. along with the complete

data/criteria adopted for evaluation.

4. Whether the marks awarded to the candidates were uploaded/published on the website before being placed before the Full Court of the Hon'ble High Court for taking the final decision on the selection of candidates.

5. information as to whether any candidates who have neither filed nor appeared in any case in recent years, or who have hardly appeared in the last two years, were considered for designation.

6. Whether the notification inviting applications from advocates for designation as senior Advocates was duly circulated among the District and Sub-DivIsion Bar Association.

7. Whether there were an criteria adopted for Schedule caste/Schedule Tribes and women candidates.