Priyadarshini Saha Vs Pinaki Ranjan Banerjee (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court recorded serious concerns raised by the petitioner regarding the conduct of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh in the process of advocate enrolment. It was brought to the Court’s notice that, despite directions issued in an earlier judgment, the State Bar Council allegedly introduced oral interviews for enrolment candidates and charged ₹2,500 from each candidate to appear in such interviews. The Court found the allegation disturbing and issued notice to the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, directing it to file an affidavit explaining the matter. The Bar Council of India was also directed to examine the issue and take it up with the State Bar Council. In a connected contempt petition, the Court permitted filing of the petition, issued notice, and fixed the matter for further hearing, while dispensing with the personal presence of the alleged contemnors for the time being.
FULL TEXT OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT/ORDER
1. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has brought something very shocking to our notice.
2. According to the petitioner, the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh has evolved a unique method to overcome the directions issued by this Court in the main Judgment rendered in the case of “Gaurav Kumar vs. Union of India & Ors.” (Writ Petition(Civil) No.352/2023 decided on 30-7-2024) by conducting oral interviews of the candidates seeking enrollment.
