Chhattisgarh High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Non-Functioning Of State Bar Council Since 2021

In its order, a bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal noted that several crucial activities have come to a halt due to the State Bar Council's non-functioning since 2021.

These include the admission of advocates, maintenance of the rolls, determination of misconduct, protection of rights, promotion of law reforms, organization of seminars, publication of journals, provision of legal aid, management of election funds, visits to universities, implementation of welfare schemes, and the establishment of law libraries, among others.

When the counsel for the State Bar Council was asked when the last election was held, the bench was informed that the term of the body elected last came to an end on February 2, 2021. After the expiry of the term, no fresh elections took place, and the said situation had arisen because of failure in the verification rules.

The bench was informed that the Bar Council of India had constituted a Special Committee to look after the affairs of the State Bar Council and that despite writing to the BCI for the appointment of an observer and the returning officer to conduct the elections, nothing had been done to date.

When the bench asked the counsel for the BCI what it is doing regarding this issue, the counsel sought some time to seek further instructions and make appropriate submissions before this Court. In view of this submission, the matter has been directed to be listed again on February 12, 2025.