"We Will Not Dispose Off Petition Until Hubli Bar Association Withdraws Feb 15 Resolution " : Karnataka HC
The Karnataka High Court on Friday, said it would not dispose off the petition filed by 24 lawyers, until the resolution of February 15, passed by the Hubli Bar Association, is withdrawn. As per the resolution it was decided that none of its members would appear for three Kashmiri students arrested on charges of sediton, for posting pro-pakistan video on social media. On...
The Karnataka High Court on Friday, said it would not dispose off the petition filed by 24 lawyers, until the resolution of February 15, passed by the Hubli Bar Association, is withdrawn. As per the resolution it was decided that none of its members would appear for three Kashmiri students arrested on charges of sediton, for posting pro-pakistan video on social media.
On the previous hearing, the officer bearers of the association, personally remained present before the court and submitted a modified resolution. A division bench led by Chief Justice Abhay Oka, had then asked the office bearers to pass a resolution, withdrawing or cancelling the resolution, of February 15.
The officer bearers had then orally informed the court then that it would be done. The same was recorded in the order. Today, the modified resolution was to be submitted. However, it was not done to which the bench said "It is not clear if bar association, passed resolution cancelling or withdrawing the resolution. This petition thus cannot be disposed off. Let the petiton be kept for further hearing on March 17, to enable the association to submit the modified resolution."
Advocate B T Venkatesh and others have said "The petitioners, are all advocates practicing within the State of Karnataka. They are filing this petition as a public interest litigation, as the issues involved in this petition affect the right of legal representation of accused and the dignity of the legal profession. The issues raised herein affect the larger public interest and the fundamental right to all persons to legal representation."
Following, which the high court directed the police commissioner to provide police protection to the advocates desirous of filing bail application for the the students. The Hubli court is likely to pass an order on the application on March 9.