‘Presumption of Innocence at Stake’: Supreme Court Seeks BCI Reply on Rule Barring Advocates With Pending Criminal Cases From Bar Polls

The Supreme Court of India has sought responses from the Bar Council of India and Bar Council of Telangana on a plea challenging a 2023 rule disqualifying advocates with multiple pending serious criminal cases from contesting Bar Council elections. The petitioner argues that disqualification based on mere pendency of cases violates the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.