Diphu : A section of relatively practicing junior advocates of Diphu Bar Association, Diphu Judicial Court have alleged that certain members of the association, making a system which is preventing them from their right to practice.

In a press briefing held at held at the Diphu Bar Association building, advocate Dhanison Lekthe alleged that on July 5, joint secretary of the association convened a meeting, which Lekthe termed as ‘unauthorized Executive Committee meeting’ as the meeting was called devoid of the official permission of the president or secretary of the association, which violated association’s regulations; although the meeting was attended by the president, vice president, joint secretary, and one executive member of the association.

Lekthe informed the press that they have submitted a grievance letter to the District and Session Judge of Diphu Judicial Court in this issue.

Lekthe informed that at that meeting a decision was taken considering the present constitution of the association as void. Lekthe held that according to this resolution the existing association cannot subsist.

He held that another decision  was taken which made it obligatory that any candidates contesting for the seat of president and secretary of the association must perform for twenty years and hold possessions in the locality. Lekthe mentioned that the meeting itself was unlawful and void.

In the press meeting another advocate Shorjun Hanse said that the association has set a principle for advocates that, to appear before any court they must have two years experience. He held that there are no such provisions in the Advocates Act of 1961 or the rules prescribed by the Bar Council of India; rather it infringes sections 30 and 33 of the Advocates Act of 1931.

Hanse also alleged that some bench assistants and public prosecutors of Diphu Judicial Court mistreat junior advocates inside the courtroom, which violate self-respect of advocates in the courtroom.

Hanse hinted that time has come to form an ad hoc committee inside Diphu Bar Association to make sure the newly registered advocates, who have cleared the All India Bar Examination and are member of State Bar, are given the permission to practice before any court in accordance to sections 30 and 33 of the Advocates Act of 1961.