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.
Advocates from the Shivamogga Bar Association have written to the CJI and the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice opposing a High Court judge’s participation in a programme presided over by former minister K.S. Eshwarappa. They said such participation may affect public confidence in judicial impartiality as cases against the former minister are pending in courts.
