BCI issues press release; says meeting with Law Minister was ‘wastage of time’

Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a press release stating that the meeting with the Law Minister, Kapil Sibal on 10^th August, 2013 was ‘fruitless’ and ‘futile’. The representatives of the Bar comprising of members of the BCI, state Bar Councils and Presidents wanted to discuss about:

• Judicial Reforms
• Use of Information Technology to improve the functioning of the Bar Councils and the Bar Associations
• Videography of the Court Proceedings
• Measures to improve disposal of cases by courts
• Status of infrastructures  of the Bar Councils and Bar Associations
• Welfare measures for members of the Bar
• Problems of the Bar Councils and Bar Associations

However, the Law Minister wanted to discuss only the issue of replacing collegium system for appointment of judges with the proposed draft bill relating to National Judicial Appointment Commission.  According to the press release though the BCI Chairman and other members did not want to discuss the issue which was not on the agenda, the Minister was insisting to discuss it.



Members of the Bar unanimously conveyed that they were not in favour of the Bill in its existing form and demanded for a representation of the BCI members and respective Bar Councils in the Commission.

According to the press release, “Since nothing was discussed about the welfare measures, strengthening of Bar Associations, etc.; the representatives of the Bar Council of India, State Bar Councils and Presidents looked totally dissatisfied and as per them, it was wastage of time.”