Advocates’ Association Bengaluru has asked the Bar Council of India to remove Karnataka Bar Council chief Mittala Kod SS for mispronouncing English during a court ceremony. The lawyers claimed his speech embarrassed the legal community.
Bangalore: On July 31, the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru (AAB) wrote to the Bar Council of India (BCI), asking for the removal of Karnataka State Bar Council Chairperson, Mr. Mittala Kod SS.
The association cites that he failed to speak proper English during an important official event, which they claim has brought embarrassment to the legal community in Karnataka.
According to the AAB, the incident occurred during a recent welcome ceremony held at the Karnataka High Court.
The event was organised to welcome the newly appointed Chief Justice of Karnataka, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vibhu Bakhru, along with other judges who were transferred to the High Court.
The AAB expressed serious concerns over the way Mr. Mittala Kod SS delivered his speech. In their letter dated July 22, 2025, the association stated,
“In the recent welcome ceremony of Chief Justice of Karnataka Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vibhu Bhakru and other transferred judges, the chairman Mr. Mittala Kod SS has humiliated Karnataka by not being able to speak proper English and by mispronouncing words in the speech and misspelling the names of the judges in his welcome address at Court Hall No 1.”
The AAB said that the speech not only included mispronounced words and spelling errors but also led to embarrassment among judges, lawyers, and other guests present during the function. According to the letter,
“The chairperson made several other mistakes in his address, embarrassing judges, lawyers, family members and other dignitaries who expressed serious objection at the speech read out by the chairperson in unacceptable and broken English.”
Taking a firm stand, the Advocates’ Association demanded that another member of the Bar Council be appointed to deliver welcome speeches at Court Hall No. 1 on future occasions.
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They warned that if the BCI failed to act, they would be forced to make an unusual request to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
The letter warned,
“The association would request the Chief Justice to appoint the Advocate General to address Court Hall 1 during these functions.”
Until such a change is made or the chairperson is removed, the AAB has requested a temporary alternative.
They suggested that if Mr. Mittala Kod SS continues in his position, he should speak in Kannada, the local language, during such public events, and a translator could be appointed to interpret his words in English.
In the letter, the AAB mentioned,
“We request you to act upon our resolution and till he is removed at least spare Karnataka the embarrassment of the address at Court Hall No. 1. Kindly appoint another bar council member to address or direct Sri Mittala Kod SS to address in our local language Kannada and ask a translator to translate the same.”
The issue appears to go beyond just the language concern. The AAB has also accused the chairperson of taking an unfavourable stand regarding the welfare of advocates.
One of their specific complaints is that he has tried to stop welfare stamps meant for the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru.
The letter has sparked significant discussion in the legal community in Karnataka, raising important questions about communication standards in official legal functions and the responsibilities of public representatives in the legal profession.
Read Letter:
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