'Enrolment Functions Turning Into Festivities': Madras High Court Wants State Bar Council To Keep Candidates' Family Members, Friends Out

Lamenting the manner in which the venue of a recent enrolment ceremony was turned into a litter zone, the Madras High Court has directed the Bar Council to submit a report on how it proposes to ensure that such functions in future are conducted without the presence of the family members and friends of candidates.

The court has issued the direction in a matter related to the ban on use of plastic in Tamil Nadu. Noting that it had earlier instructed the Bar Council and bar associations to ensure that hgh court also should march towards an eco-friendly and plastic-free zone, the division bench of Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice PT Asha said:

"However, it has been brought to our notice on the very same day, the Bar Council has held its Enrolment Ceremony at the Auditorium within the precincts of the High Court. The entire place after the Enrolment Ceremony was turned into a litter zone. SUP, garlands, papers, etc. were strewn not only before the Auditorium, but around the entire campus. This is a very serious matter which requires attention."

Observing that enrolment ceremonies were turning into a festivity, the court said they are "losing the solemnity and dignity associated with the noble profession". It added the functions are attended not only by the candidates but by their family members, relatives and friends which contributes to not only the overcrowding but also the littering in the area.

"The Bar Council should therefore submit a Report as to how they would ensure that, the Enrolment Ceremony is conducted with only the candidates, without the presence of the family members/relatives and friends not only at the place where the enrolment takes, but nowhere near the premises of the Courts and its surroundings," said the court.

It further said the Bar Council shall also ensure that candidates alone should attend the function without obstructing the free movement inside and outside the court premises as well as the public road.

"The Bar Council shall provide the Court with the Rules that they propose to have for the smooth conduct of the ceremony before or at the next hearing. The Bar Council shall ensure strict compliance of the Rules that they propose to introduce with reference to the Enrolment Ceremony," it added.

Listing the matter for further hearing on November 1, the court said the Standing Counsel appearing for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board as also any one Office Bearer of various Associations, viz. Madras Bar Association, Madras High Court Advocates' Association, Law Association, Women Lawyers' Association shall appear before the Court on that date.

Meanwhile, the court showed appreciation of the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board in bringing out a Directory giving details of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Eco Alternative Materials for single use plastics in Tamil Nadu.

"We are also also happy to note that this Directory is a first of its kind in the entire country and persons who have conceptualized the above, deserve accolades. This Directory would not only help the Retailers, but would also help the domestic purchasers, since we are informed the Directory is available online," it said in the order.

Case Title: Tamil Nadu Pondy Plastic Association v. Government of Tamil Nadu and others

Click here to read/download the order