'Nothing Wrong In Having Political Ideology' : Supreme Court Dismisses Plea That Politicians Shouldn't Become Office Bearers Of Bar Bodies

The Supreme Court on Friday (December 6) dismissed a petition which sought directions that persons who are members of political parties should not hold become the office-bearers of Bar Associations and Bar Councils.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan orally observed that there was nothing wrong in persons with political ideologies holding positions in the bar bodies.

"If an office-bearer of the Bar has a political ideology, what's wrong with that?? You want to oust Mr Sibal as the President of SCBA?. You want to oust Mr (Manan Kumar) Mishra as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India?" Justice Kant asked.

The petitioner's argument was that the independence of bar bodies would be compromised if persons with political ideologies became their elected leaders.

Justice Kant cited the example of Ram Jethmalani, who has served as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India as well as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association even while being active in politics. Do you want the bar to be deprived of the services of such multi-talented persons, the bench asked the petitioner.

The petition was dismissed, giving liberty to the petitioner to pursue representations.

Case  C.R. JAYA SUKIN Vs UNION OF INDIA | : W.P.(C) No. 795/2024