The Calcutta High Court has chosen not to intervene immediately in allegations of irregularities in the State Bar Council elections. Justice Krishna Rao stated that he wants to first review the position of the election committee, which is expected to be announced within a day or two. The Bar Council has been instructed to present the official notification regarding the committee formation in court on January 28.
During the hearing, concerns were raised about the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Advocate Welfare Corporation from the Advocate Welfare Fund. However, the court indicated it will address financial irregularities only after the voting process is settled.
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Petitioners’ lawyer, Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay, highlighted that the nomination fee has skyrocketed from ₹10,000 previously to ₹1.25 lakh this time. He also pointed out that the Bar Council lacks a proper record of practising lawyers and the destination of funds from the West Bengal Advocate Welfare Fund remains unclear, raising concerns of money being siphoned off.
Justice Krishna Rao directed that the notification regarding the formation of the Bar Council election committee be submitted in court first before any further action is considered.
