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Date: 26-Jun-2023 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

Bar Council of India Rules for qualification Disqualification and produce for election and code of conduct for the elections

Issued by Bar Council of India · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

What it means (Description of the gazette notification)

  • The gazette notification pertains to the Bar Council of India Rules, 2023, concerning qualifications, disqualifications, election procedures, and a code of conduct for State Bar Councils (SBC) and the Bar Council of India (BCI) elections.
  • The notification aims to improve the standards of Bar Councils, ensure the election of practicing advocates without criminal backgrounds or involvement in misconduct, and prevent the inclusion or continuation of advocates with such negative antecedents.

Key Changes (Detailed description of key updates or changes. State facts and numbers)

  • Qualifications and Disqualifications for Voters: An advocate enrolled with the State Bar Council and a regular practitioner as per the BCI Verification Rules, 2015, is entitled to vote, subject to other conditions. Advocates convicted in criminal or contempt cases or who are defaulters under Rule 40 of BCI Rules (prior to nine months from the date of election) are disqualified from being a voter, unless the State Bar Council waives the condition upon clearing of dues.
  • Qualifications and Disqualifications for Members: An advocate who is a regular practitioner, not a convict, and not punished by any Disciplinary Committee (of Bar Council or BCI till the period before 9 months of the election), is entitled to contest the election of State Bar Council. Advocates with criminal cases of serious nature (punishment for 7 years or more) pending against them prior to 9 months of the election or with pending Disciplinary Committee cases before 9 months of election are disqualified. Advocates in other jobs or occupations, handwriting experts, or those appearing as witnesses are also ineligible.
  • Code of Conduct for Members and Elections: The notification outlines a code of conduct for Bar Council members, addressing fake news, defamation, and unethical propaganda. It also addresses corrupt practices during elections, such as offering or accepting bribes for votes, using hate speech, or making false allegations. Violations may lead to cancellation of candidature or removal from membership.
  • Complaint and Dispute Resolution: The process for addressing complaints of malpractices or code of conduct violations during State Bar Council elections is detailed. Complaints can be made to the Returning Officer, who will refer the matter to the Central Election Tribunal/Committee. The Central Election Tribunal/Committee shall give the complainant and the candidate/member an opportunity of hearing before cancelling the candidature of the candidate or before taking a final decision on the complaint.
  • Central Election Appellate Committee: An Election Appellate Committee of the Bar Council of India is established, consisting of a former Judge of the Supreme Court and two former High Court Judges, to address election disputes. Any final order/decision passed by the Central Election Committee/Tribunal can be challenged before this Election Appellate Committee within 15 days of the order/decision of Central Election Committee/Tribunal.
  • Mandatory Election and Counting Rules: The Returning Officer should be either a former Judge of High Court or a Senior Advocate. If the Returning Officer is a Senior Advocate, the Bar Council should appoint a former Judge of High Court as the Observer for the election. The entire counting process must be videographed. Restrictions are placed on the entry of candidates and agents into counting hall sections. Booth-wise counting should be avoided to prevent groupism. Ballot boxes and packets must be sealed with the polling officer's signature.
  • Verification of Certificates: Rule 8A is added to the BCI Verification Rules, 2015, requiring State Bar Councils to send certificate copies for verification to examination boards/universities. Fake, forged, unrecognized, or invalid certificates will result in removal from the roll of advocates, with retrospective effect.
  • Overriding Effect and Removal of Difficulties: The new rules have an overriding effect on previous resolutions/rules. The Bar Council of India is the final authority to resolve any doubts or disputes in the interpretation or execution of these rules.

Impact Analysis

Impact on Advocates

  • Action Item: Advocates should ensure they meet all eligibility criteria, adhere to the code of conduct, and have their qualifications verified to avoid disqualification or disciplinary action.

Impact on State Bar Councils

  • Action Item: State Bar Councils should update their election procedures, implement certificate verification processes, and train staff to enforce the new rules effectively.

Impact on Bar Council of India

  • Action Item: The Bar Council of India should establish the Central Election Tribunal/Committee and the Election Appellate Committee, develop regulations for dispute resolution, and provide guidance to State Bar Councils on implementing the new rules.

Impact on the Legal System

  • Action Item: The legal system will benefit from a more qualified and ethical leadership within Bar Councils, leading to improved governance and regulation of the legal profession.

Key Entities Referenced

Bar Council of India (BCI): The apex body regulating the legal profession in India. Responsible for setting standards of legal education, professional conduct, and election procedures for State Bar Councils. State Bar Councils (SBC): State-level bodies responsible for regulating the legal profession within their respective states. Conduct elections to their councils and manage the enrollment and discipline of advocates. Advocates Act, 1961: The primary legislation governing the legal profession in India. Provides the framework for the establishment and functioning of Bar Councils and the regulation of advocates. Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015: Rules governing the verification of advocates' certificates and places of practice. Used to determine eligibility for voting and contesting in Bar Council elections. Central Election Tribunal/Committee: A committee constituted by the Bar Council of India to address complaints and disputes related to State Bar Council elections. Election Appellate Committee: An appellate body established by the Bar Council of India to hear appeals against the decisions of the Central Election Tribunal/Committee. Rule 40 of Bar Council of India Rules: Relates to defaulters in Bar Council of India Rules, which disqualifies advocates from being a voter for the elections of State Bar Council.
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रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 xxxGIDHxxx सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E2x6xx0 62023-246813 CG-DL-E-26062023-246813 असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग III—खण् ड 4 PART III—Section 4 प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 442] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, िनू 26, 2023/आषाढ़ 5, 1945 No. 442] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023/ASHADHA 5, 1945 ubZ fnYyh] 23 twu] 2023 : : .—Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ fu;e ¼jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~@Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko ds fy, ;ksX;rk@v;ksX;rk vkSj pquko izfdz;k fu;e vkSj vkpkj lafgrk½ 2023 fu;e vkSj la”kks/ku %& fof/kK ifj’kn~ ds Lrj eas lq/kkj dju s ds fy, vkSj ckj dkmaflyksa eas dsoy ,sl s vf/koDrkvks a ds pquko lqfuf”pr dju s ds fy, ftudk dkbs Z cqjk bfrgkl ugha gS vkSj vkijkf/kd i`’BHkwfe ;k dnkpkj eas fyIr jgus oky s vf/koDrkvks a dks “kkfey dju@s pquko vkSj@;k tkjh j[ku s ls jksdu s ds fy,] ifj’kn u s fuEufyf[kr fu;e vkSj vkpkj lafgrk dju s dk ladYi fy;k gSA ;g fu;e vf/koDRkk vf/kfu;e] 1961 dh /kkjk 7 ¼1½¼ch½] ¼Mh½] ¼th½] ¼bZ½ lgifBr /kkjk 49¼1½¼,½] ¼,,p½] ¼vkbZ½ ds rgr cuk, tk jgs gSaA ekuuh; lnL;ks a us jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ eas ernkrk gksus vkSj jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ vkSj Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; cuus vkSj@;k cu s jgu s ds fy, ;ksX;rk vkSj v;ksX;rk fu/kkZfjr dju s dk eqÌk Hkh mBk;kA rnuqlkj] dk;kZy; u s jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ vkSj Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko yM+us oky s mEehnokjks a ds fy, dqN vkpkj lafgrk ds lkFk lkFk vkSj ,slh ;ksX;rkvks a vkSj v;ksX;rkvks a ds fy, fu;eksa dks rS;kj vkSj izLrkfor fd;k gSA fof|K ifj’kn~ ds lnL;ks a ds fy, ,d vkpkj lafgrk Hkh leku :i ls egRoiw.kZ gSA rnuqlkj lnu vf/koDrk vf/kfu;e] 1961 dh /kkjk&7 lgif’V /kkjk&49 ds rgr fuEufyf[kr fu;e cuku s dk ladYi ysrk gSA blds vykok fu’i{k pquko ds fy, dqN vfuok;Z fn”kkfunsZ”kks a vkSj erx.kuk izfdz;k eas vuko”;d njs h ls cpus ds fy, Hkh fopkj fd;k tkuk vko”;d gSA blds vykok] Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ u s 9 twu 2023 ds viu s ladYi ds rgr ladfYir fd;k gS fd dkbs Z Hkh vU; fiNys fu;e@izko/kku tks fdlh Hkh rjg ls bu fu;eksa ds foijhr ;k fo:} gSa rks og fujLr ekuk tk,xk vkSj ;s fu;e vf/kHkkoh izHkko j[ksxa s vU; lHkh fiNys fu;eksa ij izHkko dks fujLr ekuk tk,xkA 4020 GI/2023 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds }kjk VªkalQj dsl flfoy la[;k 126@2015 ds fu.kZ; fnukad 05 +02 +2018 ds vuqlkj] rhu lnL;h; dsUnzh; pquko lfefr@U;k;kf/kdj.k dk Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ }kjk xfBr fd;k tk,xk tksfd fdlh mPp U;k;ky; ds iwoZ eq[; U;k;k/kh”k dh v/;{krk es a vkSj fdlh Hkh mPp U;k;ky; ds nks iwoZ U;k;k/kh”kks a ls xfBr gksxk vkSj Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn ~ u s ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds QSlys ds vuqlkj fnukad 30 +12 +2020 dk s bl laca/k eas fu;eksa dk s igy s gh vf/klwfpr dj fn;k gSA ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds vfHkys[kkas e s varjorhZ vkosnu la[;k 51257@2023 ds ek/;e ls ,l0,l0ih0 ¼flfoy½ la[;k 5440@2020 ds vUrjxr ,e0,0 la[;k 859@2020 ,oa fjV ;kfpdk ¼flfoy½ la[;k 82@2023 eas Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko ds fu;eksa vkSj izfdz;k eas dqN lq/kkj ykus laca/kh ladYi yk;k tk pqdk gSA ifj’kn u s blds ckn 9 twu 2023 dk s bu lHkh ladYiks a ij fQj ls fopkj fd;k vkSj bls ljdkjh jkti= eas izdkf”kr djus dk fu.kZ; ekewyh la”kk/s kuksa ds ckn fy;k x;kA blfy,] 30 +12 +2020 ls igys ;k ckn eas vf/klwfpr dksbZ vU; fiNyk fu;e@ladYi ;k izko/kku] tks ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds mijksDr vkn”s k ds foijhr gS] dks fujLr ekuk tk,xkA v/;k;&I ;ksX;rk vkSj v;ksX;rk%& 1 + jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko eas ernkrk gksus dh ;ksX;rk %& lacaf/kr jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ eas ukekafdr dkbs Z Hkh vf/koDrk tks Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ lfVZfQdsV ,aM Iyls vkWQ izSfDVl ¼lR;kiu½ fu;e] 2015 ¼le; le; ij la”kksf/kr½ ds vuqlkj ,d fu;fer vH;kljr vf/koDrk gS rks ;gka mfYyf[kr vU; “krksa Z ds v/khu fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pqukoks a eas ernkrk gksus dk gdnkj gksxkA 2 + ernkrk gksus dh v;ksX;rk,a%& ;fn dksbZ vf/koDrk fdlh vkijkf/kd ekeys ;k voekuuk ekeys es a nks’kh gS] rks og jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk ernkrk gksus ds ;ksX; ugha gksxkA dkbs Z Hkh vf/koDrk tk s Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ fu;e 40 ¼pquko dh rkjh[k ls ukS eghu s igy½s ds rgr fMQkWYVj gS] jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko ds fy, ernkrk ugh a gksxkA ¼gkykafd] jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ bl “krZ dk s ekQ dj ldrh gS vkSj fdlh Hkh vf/koDrk dk uke ernkrk lwph e s “kkfey dj ldrh gSa] ;fn og vafre fuokZpd ukekoyh ds izdk”ku ls igys fu;e 40 ds rgr ns; jkf”k dk Hkqxrku dj nrs k@nsrh gS½ 3 + jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; cuus ds fy, ;ksX;rk%& dksbZ Hkh vf/koDrk tk s ,d fu;fer vH;kljr vf/koDrk gS vkSj nks’kh fl} ltkQrk ugh a gS vkSj ftls fdlh Hkh vuq”kklukRed lfefr ¼fof|K ifj’kn~ ;k Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko ds 9 eghu s igy s dh vof/k rd½ }kjk nafMr ugh a fd;k x;k gS] og jkT; dk pquko yM+u s dk gdnkj gksxkA vf/koDrk ds ikl lacaf/kr jkT; ljdkj }kjk fof/kor ekU;rk izkIr ,d oS/k izek.k i= vkSj fMxzh gksuh pkfg,A vekU; izek.k i= ;k fMxzh ds vk/kkj ij izkIr ukekadu dks fdlh jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; gksus ds fy, oS/k ugh a ekuk tk,xkA jkT; jksy ij ,sl s vf/koDrk dk uke “kkfey gksus ds ckotwn Hkh ,slk O;fDr jkT; fof|K ifj’kn ~ dk lnL; ugh cu ldsxkA 4 + jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ vkSj Hkkjrh; jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; gksus ds fy, v;ksX;rk%& ,d vf/koDrk] fdlh Hkh fof|K ifj’kn ~ dk lnL; gksrs gq,] fdlh Hkh vuq”kklukRed lfefr }kjk nafMr ugha fd;k tkuk pkfg, vkSj@;k nks’k fl} ltkQrk ugha gksuk pkfg,A pquko ds 9 eghu s ls igys mlds f[kykQ dksbZ Hkh xaHkhj izd`fr dk vkijkf/kd ekeyk ¼7 lky ;k mlls vf/kd ds fy, ltk fu/kkZfjr½ yfacr ugh a gksuk pkfg,A mlds f[kykQ pquko ds 9 eghu s ls igys dksbZ vuq”kklukRed lfefr dk ekeyk yafcr ugh a gksuk pkfg,A mls vf/koDrk vH;kl es a fu;fer gksuk pkfg, vkSj fdlh vU; ukSdjh ;k O;olk; eas ugha gksuk pkfg,A gLrfyfi fo”ks’kK dk dk;Z dju s okyk ;k fdlh oknh ds leFkZu es a xokg ds :i eas is”k gksus okyk dkbs Z Hkh vf/koDrk fdlh Hkh fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; cuus dk ik= ugha gksxkA jkT; fof|K ifj’kn@~ Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds ,sl s izR;sd pquko ds ukekadu QkWeZ eas mijksDr izHkko dk dkWye gksuk pkfg, vkSj izLrkod@leFkZd vkSj mEehnokj dks bu fu;eksa ds vuqlkj ?kks’k.kk djuh gksxh] ,slk u dju s ij ukekadu i= [kkfjt dj fn;k tk,xkA mEehnokjh dk s jÌ dju s vkSj@;k lacaf/kr fof|K ifj’kn@~ Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dh lnL;rk ls gVku s ds lkFk&lkFk fdlh Hkh rjg dh tkudkjh Nqiku s ij mi;qDr vuq”kklukRed vkSj vkijkf/kd dk;ZokbZ dh tk,xhA v/;k;&II 5 + fof|K ifj’kn ~ ds lnL;ks a ds fy, vkpkj lafgrk %& tkucw>dj ;k fopkjiwoZd fdlh Hkh QthZ lekpkj dk s izdkf”kr djuk ;k fdlh Hkh ¼U;k;k/kh”k ;k vf/koDrk½ dh Nfo [kjkc dju s ds bjkn s ls dksbZ xank ;k /kedh Hkjk c;ku nus k] ;k lLrh yksdfiz;rk gkfly dju s ds bjkn s ls ;k fdlh Hkh voS/k Lo&ykHk ds fy, izpkj djuk dnkpkj dh Js.kh es a vk,xk] ftlds ifj.kkeLo:i pquko eas mEehnokjh jÌ gks ldrh gS ;k fdlh fof|K ifj’kn~ ds lnL; dks gVk;k tk ldrk gSA[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3 6 + jkT; fof|K ifj’kn pquko ds fy, vkpkj lafgrk%& d + fdlh Hkh mEehnokj ds i{k eas oksV Mkyu s ds fy, udn ;k oLrq ds :i eas dqN Hkh nus k ;k Lohdkj djuk ,d xaHkhj Hkz’V vkpj.k ekuk tk,xkA bl laca/k eas dksbZ Hkh f”kdk;r] ;fn dssanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr ¼Vhlh dsl la[;k 126@2015 eas ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds vkn”s k fnukad 05 +02 +2020 dh vf/klwpuk }kjk xfBr½ ds le{k lkfcr gks tkrh gS] rks mEehnokjh jÌ dj nh tk,xhA ,slk O;fDr( ;k pquko ds ifj.kke ds ckn Hkh ,sl s lnL; dks fof|K ifj’kn ls gVk;k Hkh tk ldrk gSA bl rjg fd fu’dklu ds ekey s esa] vafre mEehnokj tk s fu’dklu dh drkj eas Fkk] mls jkT; fof|K ifj’kn ds lnL; ds :i eas “kkfey fd;k tk,xkA [k + dnkpkj dk vkJ; yus k] vHknz Hkk’kk ;k jk’Vª&fojks/kh ;k laLFkkxr&fojks/kh Hkk’k.k dk mi;ksx djuk] fdlh U;k;k/kh”k] fof|K ifj’kn ;k fdlh mEehnokj ds f[kykQ vkifRrtud ;k ekugkfudkjd “kCnks a ;k /kedh Hkjs “kCnks a dk mi;ksx djuk ;k bjkn s ls >wBk ;k vLi’V ;k xyr vkjksi yxkuk fdlh Hkh mEehnokj ;k lnL; dh izfr’Bk ;k Nfo dks uqdlku igqapkuk xaHkhj dnkpkj vkSj Hkz’V vkpj.k ekuk tk,xk( vkSj ;fn dsanzh; pquko lfefr@U;k;kf/kdj.k ds le{k vafre :i ls lkfcr gks tkrk gS] rks ,slk dksbZ O;fDr fuokZfpr ?kksf’kr gks] rks Hkh dsna zh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr ,sl s O;fDr dk s fof|K ifj’kn ;k jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dh lnL;rk ls gVk ldrh gSA x + lks”ky] byDs VªkWfud ;k fizaV ehfM;k ij ok;jy fd;k x;k dkbs Z Hkh viekutud ;k ekugkfudkjd ;k mRrstd lans”k ;k c;ku ;k ohfM;ks ;k vkWfM;ks ;k Hkk’k.k bu fu;eks a ds izko/kkuks a dks vkdf’kZr dju s ds fy, ,d lkexzh vkSj Bksl lcwr gks ldrk gS vkSj bu fu;eksa ds rgr ltk ds fy, i;kZIr gks ldrk gSA ?k + fdlh Hkh ehfM;k ¼lks”ky] byDs VªkWfud ;k fizaV½ ij ,slk dksbZ vkifRrtud@ekugkfudkjd lan”s k ;k c;ku ;k ohfM;ks ;k vkWfM;ks ;k Hkk’k.k ;k /kedh fdlh mEehnokj dk s jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ;k Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; cuus ls v;ksX; Bgjk ldrk gSA M+ + dsanzh; pquko fVªC;wuy@lfefr ,sl s O;fDr;ks a dks vxyk pquko yM+u s ls Hkh izfrcaf/kr dj ldrh gS ;k ;fn vkjksi cgqr xaHkhj gSa] rks mUgs a dsanzh; pquko fVªC;wuy@lfefr }kjk Hkfo’; es a fdlh Hkh fof|K ifj’kn~ ds puq ko yM+us ls izfrcaf/kr fd;k tk ldrk gSA v/;k;&III 7 + f”kdk;r@fooknks a ds laca/k eas izfdz;k%& jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pquko ds nkSjku ;k mlls igy s vxj dksbZ nOq;Zogkj ;k Hkz’V vkpj.k ;k vkpkj lafgrk ds mYy?a ku ds laca/k eas f”kdk;r gks rks dksbZ Hkh vf/koDrk ;k dkbs Z Hkh O;fDr] fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj dk s f”kdk;r dj ldrk gS] vafre fu.kZ; ds fy, f”kdk;r vkSj vU; lkefxz;ks a ds lkFk ekey s dk s fjVfuZax vkWfQlj ¼vkj0vks0½ ;k i;Zos{kd ¼tSlk Hkh ekeyk gks½ dssanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr dk s lanfHkZr djr s gq, fjikVs Z djsxkA f”kdk;ras@fjikVs Z@flQkfj”ks a vkWuykbu ;k vkWQykbu ;k nksuks a eas dh tk ldrh gSaA dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr f”kdk;rdrkZ vkSj mEehnokj@lnL; ¼tSlk Hkh ekeyk gks½ dks mEehnokj dh mEehnokjh jÌ djus ls igy s ;k f”kdk;r ij vafre fu.kZ; yus s ls igy s lquokbZ dk volj nxs hA dsna zh; pquko vk;ksx@fVªC;wuy viu s fu.kZ; dk dkj.k crk,xkA lquokbZ ikfVZ;ks a dh lqfo/kk ds vk/kkj ij gkbfczM eksM eas dh tk,xhA 8 + fof|K ifj’kn ~ dh lnL;rk ls gVku s dh izfdz;k%& ;fn fdlh fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lnL; ,slk dnkpkj djrk gS ;k Hkz’V vkpj.k viukrk gS ;k vkpkj lafgrk dk mYya?ku djrk gS] rks fof|K ifj’kn~ dk lkekU; lnu ,sl s lnL; dks gVku s ds fy, ,d izLrko ikfjr dj ldrk gS vkSj vafre fu.kZ; ds fy, fo’k; dks dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr dks HkstsxkA lacaf/kr lnL; dk s lquokbZ dk volj nus s ds ckn vuqeksnu ;k vLohd`fr ds ekey s eas dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr viuk fu.kZ; yxs h vkSj ,d vuqHkoh vkn”s k ikfjr djsxhA dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr bl laca/k eas izfdz;k dk fooj.k fu/kkZfjr djrs gq, vius Lo;a ds fofu;e cuk,xhA v/;k;&IV 9 + Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dh dsanzh; pquko vihyh; lfefr@fVªC;wuy%& ikjnf”kZrk vkSj fu’i{krk dks lqjf{kr dju s ds fy, vkSj vnkyrksa eas eqdneks a dh cgqyrk ls cpu s ds fy, vkSj pquko fooknks a ds “kh?kz fuiVku s ds fy, Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn ~ dh ,d pquko vihyh; lfefr gksxh tks ekuuh; eq[; U;k;k/kh”k ds ijke”kZ ls Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ }kjk ukfer fd tk;sxh ftleas Hkkjr ds loksZPp U;k;ky; ds iwoZ U;k;k/kh”k “kkfey gksxa s vkSj mPp U;k;ky; ds nks iwoZ U;k;k/kh”k Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ }kjk ukfer fd, tk;ssaxsA dsanzh; pquko lfefr@fVªC;wuy }kjk ikfjr fdlh Hkh vafre vkn”s k@fu.kZ; dk s bl pquko vihyh; lfefr ¼ftls Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk pquko vihyh; fVªC;wuy Hkh dgk tk ldrk gS½ ds le{k dsanz pquko lfefr@fVªC;wuy ds vkn”s k@fu.kZ; dks 15 fnuks a dh vof/k ds Hkhrj pqukSrh nh tk ldrh gSA4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] dsanzh; pquko lfefr vkSj vihyh; lfefr dk lfpoky; Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds ifjlj es a gksxkA vihy; pquko lfefr vihyks a ds fuiVku ds fy, vius Lo;a ds fofu;e cuk,xhA vihyh; lfefr ds le{k lquokbZ ikfVZ;ksa dh lqfo/kk ds vk/kkj ij gkbZfczM eksM eas gksxhA i{kdkjks a dh lqfo/kk ds vulq kj ;kfpdkdrkZvks@a vihyks@a tokcks@a izR;qRrjks a dk vfHkopu vkWuykbu ;k vkWQykbu gks ldrk gSA v/;k;&V fuokZpu ,oa erx.kuk ds vfuok;Z fu;e ,oa fn”kk funsZ”k%& 10 + ¼d½ fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj ;k rks mPp U;k;ky; ds iwoZ U;k;k/kh”k ;k ofj’B vf/koDrk gksuk pkfg,A gkykafd] ;fn fjVfuZax vf/kdkjh ,d ofj’B vf/koDrk gS] rks fof|K ifj’kn~ dk s pquko ds fy, i;Zos{kd ds :i eas mPp U;k;ky; ds ,d iwoZ U;k;k/kh”k dk s fu;qDr djuk pkfg,A c”krsZa fd ,d fof|K ifj’kn~ iwoZ U;k;k/kh”kks a dks fjVfuZax vkWfQlj vkSj vkWCtoZj nksuks a ds :i eas fu;qDr dj ldrh gSA fof|K ifj’kn~ t:jr iM+us ij fjVfuZax vkWfQlj vkSj vkWCtoZj dh fu;qfDr ds ekey s eas Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ls lykg y s ldrh gSA gkyk¡fd] ;fn vko”;d gks] rks bl laca/k eas fdlh fof|K ifj’kn~ es a dkbs Z xaHkhj fookn gksus ij dsna zh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr fjVfuZax vkWfQlj@vkWCtoZj Hkh fu;qDr dj ldrh gSA ,sl s ekeyks a eas dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr dk vkns”k vafre gksxkA xaHkhj fookn dk vFkZ ml fookn ls gS tgka fdlh fjVfuZax vkWfQlj ;k vkWCtoZj ;k vflLVasV fjVfuZax vkWfQlj ;k dks&vkWCtoZj ds uke ij lnL;ks a ds chp rh[kk erHksn gksA ¼[k½ erx.kuk dh iwjh izfdz;k dh ohfM;ksxzkQh dh tkuh gS vkSj ohfM;ksxzkQh dk s isu&Mªkbo eas j[kk tkuk gS( vkj0vks0 }kjk ,d isu&Mªkbo dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr dk s Hksth tk,xhA ¼x½ fu’i{k] yfsdu “kkafriw.kZ erx.kuk izfdz;k lqfuf”pr dju s ds fy, vkSj erisfV;ks]a iSdsVks]a ernku i=ks a LVªkax :e dh lqj{kk lqfuf”pr djus ds fy, mEehnokjks a vkSj@;k muds ,tsVa ks a dk s erx.kuk gkWy ds vkarfjd vuHq kkxks a eas izos”k dju s dh vuqefr ugh a nh tkuh pkfg, ¼;k cDlks]a iSdsVks a ;k ernku i=ks a rd HkkSfrd igqap izkIr dju s ds fy,½ os dsfcuks a eas] csfjdsM~l ds vanj izos”k ugh a djsxa s tgka ernku i=ks a dh fxurh dh tkrh gSA fdlh dks Hkh erx.kuk LVkQ ds ikl ugha tku s fn;k tk,xk vkSj mEehnokjks@a ,tsVks a dks tgka erx.kuk gks jgh gS] ml LFkku ls de ls de 9 QhV dh nwjh cukdj j[kuh pkfg,A ¼?k½ fdlh Hkh ernku vf/kdkjh ;k fdlh lgk;d fjVfuaZx vf/kdkjh ;k lg&i;oZ s{kd ds gLrk{kj fdlh Hkh ernku i=@mi;ksx fd, x, eri= dh oS/krk ds i;kZIr izek.k gksaxsA blds vykok] fof|K ifj’kn~ dks ¼tgk¡ rd laHko gks½ cwFk&okj erx.kuk ls cpus dh dksf”k”k djuh pkfg,] D;ksfad ;g laLFkk es a xqVckth vkSj HkkbZ Hkrhtkokn dks c<+kok nrs k gSA ¼M+½ fdlh Hkh ernku dsanz ij ernku iwjk gksus ds ckn erisfV;ks a vkSj iSdsVks a ¼;fn dksbZ gks½ dks ernku vf/kdkjh ds gLrk{kj ls lhy dj fn;k tk,xkA ernku vf/kdkjh ¼i½ muds }kjk izkIr eri=ks a dh dqy la[;k( ¼ii½ Mky s x, erks a dh dqy la[;k( ¼iii½ viz;qDr eri=ks a dh dqy la[;k( vkSj ¼iv½ cDlks a vkSj iSdsVks a dh dqy la[;kA bu lHkh fooj.kks a dk mYy[s k fof|K ifj’kn ~ ds lfpo ¼tks jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ dk LFkk;h vf/kdkjh@deZpkjh gS½ ds ek/;e ls fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj@lgk;d fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj ¼ml LFkku ij tgka LVªkax :e fLFkr gS½ }kjk vkiwfrZ fd, x, ,d jftLVj ¼isp½ ij fd;k tk,xkA jftLVj ds izklafxd i`’B dks ernku vf/kdkjh }kjk fof/kor gLrk{kfjr fd;k tkuk pkfg, ;k lgk;d fjVfuZax vf/kdkjh ¼vkjvks½a lg&i;Zos{kdks a eas ls fdlh ,d }kjk gLrk{kfjr gksuk pkfg,A ¼Pk½ fdlh Hkh ernku dsna z@cwFk ij ernku dh oS/krk vkSj okLrfodrk dks lkfcr dju s ds fy,] gLrk{kj ds laca/k eas fdlh Hkh fookn ds ekey s eas ¼;k rks ernku vf/kdkjh ;k lgk;d fjVfuaZx vf/kdkjh ;k lgk;d i;Zos{kd dk½ dksbZ Hkh ,d gLrk{kj vxj lgh ik;k tkrk gS ¼fjVfuZax vf/kdkjh ;k i;Zos{kd }kjk½ rks i;kZIr gksxkA ¼N½ fdlh Hkh fLFkfr eas bl laca/k eas fdlh Hkh izdkj dh f”kdk;r ds vk/kkj ij erx.kuk dh izfdz;k dk s ugha jksdk tk,xkA gkykafd] vxj dksbZ okLrfod ekax gS] rks i;Zos{kd fdlh Hkh izdkj ds langs dk s njw dju s ds fy, fdlh Hkh mEehnokj dk s erx.kuk LFky es a izos”k dju s dh vuqefr ns ldrk gS] ijUrq ,d le; eas ,d ls vf/kd vH;FkhZ dks erx.kuk d{k eas izos”k dju s dh vuqefr ugha nh tk;sxh( vkSj tYn gh phtkas dh iqf’V dju s ds ckn] mEehnokj gkWy@txg NkMs + nsxa sA gkykafd] ohfM;ksxzkQh ds ek/;e ls izR;sd eri=@ernku i= vkSj ernku ds izklafxd fpUg dk s mEehnokjks@a muds ,tsaVks a dks vko”;drkuqlkj dbZ Vh0oh0 Ldzhu ds ek/;e ls fn[kk;k tk,xk vkSj bls fjdkWMZ djds isu&Mªkbo eas laxzfgr fd;k tkuk pkfg,A ohfM;ksxzkQh ds nkSjku mEehnokjks@a muds ,tsaVksa dks okLrfod ernku fpUg fn[kk, fcuk dkbs Z erx.kuk ugh a dh tk,xhA v/;k;&VI erx.kuk ds nkSjku dnkpkj ds ifj.kke %& 11 + fjVfuZax vkWfQlj ;k vkWCtoZj fdlh Hkh rjg ds xqaMkxnhZ] fujk/kkj fojks/k] fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj] vkWCtoZj ;k dkmafVax Vhe vkfn ds f[kykQ ukjsckth dju s oky s fdlh Hkh O;fDr dh mEehnokjh dks jÌ djus dh flQkfj”k dj ldrs gSa vkSj@;k ;fn dksbZ mEehnokj ;k mldk erx.kuk ;k pquko ds nkSjku dkbs Z ,tsaV vuko”;d xM+cM+h iSnk dju s ;k /kDdk&eqDdh dju s eas[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5 fyIr ik;k tkrk gS] rks ,sl s mEehnokj dh mEehnokjh lkexzh ds lkFk dsna zh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr dks jÌ dju s dh flQkfj”k dh tk lerh gSA fdlh Hkh mEehnokj dh mEehnokjh jÌ djus dk dksbZ Hkh vkn”s k fjVfuaZx vkWfQlj@vkWCtoZj ds vkns”k dh izkfIr ds 24 ?kaVs ds Hkhrj dsna zh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr }kjk ikfjr fd;k tkuk vko”;d gksxkA dsanzh; pquko lfefr mu mEehnokjks a dks lquus ds ckn viuk rdZiw.kZ vkn”s k ikfjr djsxh ftuds f[kykQ f”kdk;r dh xbZ gSA v/;k;&VII fookn dk lek/kku %& dksbZ Hkh mEehnokj] vxj bu ekeyks a eas O;fFkr eglwl djrk gS] ;k mls dksbZ f”kdk;r gS] rks og ifj.kke ds izdk”ku ds 15 fnuks a ds Hkhrj dsna zh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ dh lfefr ds le{k pquko ;kfpdk nk;j dj ldrk gSA gkykafd] ,d oS/k pquko ;kfpdk nk;j dju s ds fy,] mEehnokj dk]s tc dk;ZokbZ dk dkj.k cuk mlh fnu fjVfuZax vkWfQlj vkSj@;k i;Zos{kd ds le{k viuh f”kdk;r ntZ djuh gksxhA f”kdk;r vk/kkjks a vkSj lcwrks a ds fooj.k dk [kqyklk djsxh] ;fn dksbZ gksA fjVfuZax vf/kdkjh vkSj i;Zos{kd ds dk;kZy; eas ,d ckj ,slh f”kdk;r izkIr gksus ds ckn] fjVfuZax vf/kdkjh vkSj@;k i;Zos{kd lacaf/kr nLrkostks@a jftLVj dk s lqjf{kr vfHkj{kk es a j[ku s ds fy, dk;kZy; dk s vkns”k tkjh dj ldrs gSA ¼Nk;kizfr dk s lhycan djds j[kk tkuk pkfg,½ ftls pquko ;kfpdk dh lquokbZ ds nkSjku dsanzh; pquko U;k;kf/kdj.k@lfefr }kjk dHkh Hkh ekaxk tk ldrk gSA v/;k;&VIII 12 + lR;kiu fu;ekoyh 2015 dks ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds Vh0lh0 ¼flfoy½ la[;k 126@2015 vkSj fjV isfV”ku ¼flfoy½ la[;k 82@2023 Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ lfVfZQdsV ,aM Iyls vkWQ izSfDVl ¼lR;kiu½ fu;e] 2015 eas fuEufyf[kr fu;e&8, dks tksM+k tk,xkA izklafxd la”kkfs/kr fu;e bl idz kj gksxa s%& Þfu;e&8¼,½%&jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ tYn ls tYn lacaf/kr ijh{kk cksMksa@Z fo”ofo/kky;ks a dk s lR;kiu ds fy, izek.ki=ks a dh Nk;k izfr;ka HkstsxkA jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ lR;kiu dh fjiksVZ ds vk/kkj ij viuk fu.kZ; ysxhA ;fn dkbs Z izek.k i= udyh ;k tkyh ;k vekU; ;k ekU;rk izkIr ugh gS ;k vfof/kekU; ik;k tkrk gS] rks lacaf/kr jkT; fof|K ifj’kn ~ Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds laKku eas yk,xh vkSj Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ,sl s O;fDr dks lquokb dk volj nsus ds mijkUr ml O;fDr dk uke vf/koDrkvks a dh lwph ls gVk nxs hA ;g Li’V fd;k tkrk gS fd dksbZ Hkh izek.k i= ;k fMxzh] ;fn ;g ik;k tkrk gS fd lacaf/kr cksMZ@fo”ofo/kky; }kjk lR;kfir ugha fd;k x;k gS ;k ;fn izek.k i= ;k fMxzh jkT; ljdkj }kjk ekU;rk izkIr cksMZ@fo”ofo/kky; }kjk tkjh ugha fd;k x;k gS] rks ,slk izek.k i= ;k fMxzh ekU;rk izkIr ugh a gS rks vekU; ekuk tk,xk vkSj ,sl s O;fDr dk uke vf/koDrkvks a dh ukekoyh ls gVk fn;k tk;sxkA udyh ;k vekU; ;k xSjekU;rk izkIr fMxzh ;k izek.ki= /kkjdks a dks gVku s ds fy, bl izko/kku dk iwoZO;kih izHkko gksxkA v/;k;&IX fofo/k 13 + fu;eksa dk v/;kjksgh izHkko%& bu fu;eksa ds izko/kkuks a dk jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ;k Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds pqukoks a ds laca/k eas Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn ~ ;k fdlh vU; jkT; fof|K ifj’kn~ ds fiNys lHkh ladYiks@a fu;eks a ij O;kid izHkko gksxkA 14 + dfBukb;ks a dk fuokj.k %& bu fu;eksa ds vFkZ] O;k[;k] fu’iknu ds ckj s eas fdlh Hkh lansg ;k fookn ds ekey s eas] Hkkjrh; fof|K ifj’kn~ ,sl s eqÌks a dk s fuiVku s ds fy, vafre izkf/kdj.k gksxk vkSj bldk fu.kZ; vafre gksxkA Jhera ks lsu] lfpo [जवज्ञापन-III/4/असा./223/2023-24]6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 23rd June, 2023 F. No. BCI:D:3429/2023.—Bar Council of India Rules (for qualification/Disqualification and produce for election and code of conduct for the elections of S.B.C/B.C.I.) 2023 Rules and Amendments: - In order to improve the standard of the Bar Councils and to ensure the elections only of practicing Advocates as Member of Bar Councils, who have no bad antecedents and to stop the inclusion/election and/or continuation of Advocates having criminal antecedents or misconduct, the Council has resolved to make the following Rules and Code of conducts. The Rules are being framed under Section 7(1)(b), (d), (g), (e) read with Section 49(1)(a), (ah), (i) of the Advocates Act, 1961. The Hon’ble Members also raised the issue of laying down the qualifications and disqualifications for being a voter in the State Bar Council and for becoming and/or remaining a Member of State Bar Council and Bar Council of India. Accordingly, the office has framed and proposed the Rules for such qualifications and disqualifications and also certain Code of Conduct has been provided for the candidates contesting the elections of State Bar Council and Bar Council of India. A Code of Conduct is also equally important for the Members of Bar Councils. The House accordingly resolves to make the following Rules under Section-7 r/w Section-49 of the Advocates’ Act, 1961. Besides some mandatory guidelines for fair election and to avoid unnecessary delays in counting process are also necessary to be considered, which are prescribed herewith. Further, the Bar Council of India vide its resolution dated 9th June 2023 has resolved that any other previous Rules/ provisions in this regard, which are in anyway contrary or are in conflict with these Rules, shall be deemed to have been repealed, and these Rules shall have overriding effect over all other previous Rules. As per the verdict of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 5.2.2018 passed in T.C. No. 126 of 2015, the three men-Central Election Committees/Tribunals headed by a former Chief Justice of some High Court and consisting of two former Judges of any High Court(s) was to be constituted by the Bar Council of India; and the B.C.I. has already notified Rules in this regard vide Notification dated 30.12.2020 in accordance with the verdict of Hon’ble Apex Court. The part of those Rules which are not in any way contrary to this Rules shall remain operative. In order to bring certain reforms in the Rules and procedure of elections of Bar Councils, these resolutions were also brought on record of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide I.A. No.51257 of 2023 in M.A. No. 859 of 2020 in S.L.P. (C) No. 5440 of 2020 and in W.P. No. 82 of 2023. The Council, thereafter, reconsidered all these Resolutions again on 9th June, 2023 and the decision to get it published in Official Gazette was taken after minor modifications. Therefore, any other previous Rule/resolution or provision notified prior or subsequent to 30.12.2020, if is contrary to the above order of Hon’ble Apex Court, shall be treated to have been repealed. Chapter-I Qualifications and disqualifications:- 1. Qualifications for being a voter in the elections of State Bar Council: - Any Advocate enrolled with the concerned State Bar Council who is a regular practitioner as per Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015 (as amended from time to time) shall be entitled to be a voter in the elections of Bar Council subject to other conditions mentioned herein. 2. Disqualifications for being a voter: - If an Advocate is a convict in any Criminal Case or in Contempt Case, he/she shall not be qualified to be a voter of State Bar Council. Any Advocate who is a defaulter under Rule-40 of Bar Council of India Rules (prior to nine months from the date of election) shall not be a voter for the elections of State Bar Council. (Howere, the State Bar Council may waive this condition and include the name of any Advocate in th list of voter, if he/she clear the dues under Rules 40 before the publication of final elctorla roll) 3. Qualification for being a Member of State Bar Council(s):- Any Advocate who is a regular practitioner and not a convict and who has not been punished by any Disciplinary Committee (of Bar Council or Bar Council of India till the period before 9 months of the election), shall be entitled to contest the election of State Bar Council. The Advocate should have a valid certificate & degrees duly recognized by concerned State Government. Any enrolment procured on the basis of an invalid certificate or degree shall not be treated to be valid for being a Member of any State Bar Council, irrespective of the inclusion of such Advocate on the State-roll.[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 7 4. Disqualification for being a Member of State Bar Council(s) and Bar Council of India: - An Advocate, for being a Member of any Bar Council should not have been punished by any Disciplinary Committee and/or should not be a convict. There should be no Criminal case of serious nature (prescribing punishment for 7 years or more) pending against him/her prior to 9 months of the election. There should be no Disciplinary Committee Case pending before 9 months of election against him/her. He/she should be regular in practice and should not be in any other job or occupation. Any Advocate doing work of Handwriting expert or appearing as a witness in support of any litigant, shall not be eligible to be a Member of any Bar Council. NOTE:- The nomination form of every such election of State Bar Council/Bar Council of India should contain the column to the aforesaid effect and the proposer/seconder and the candidate shall be required to make the declarations in accordance with these Rules, failing which the nomination paper shall be rejected. Any concealment shall attract appropriate disciplinary and criminal action, besides the cancellation of candidature and/or removal from Membership of concerned Bar Council/Bar Council of India. Chapter-II 5. Code of Conduct for Members of Bar Council:- Flashing/Publishing any fake news wilfully or deliberately OR propaganda making any dirty or threatening statement with ulterior motive to malign image of anybody (Judge or Advocate), or with an intent to gain cheap popularity or for any illegal self-gain shall amount to misconduct, which may result in cancellation of candidature in election or removal of a Member from any Bar Council. 6. Code of Conduct for State Bar Council Elections:- A. Offering or accepting anything either in cash or in kind for casting vote in favour of any candidate shall be treated to be a serious corrupt practice. Any complaint in this regard, if proved before the Central Election Tribunal/Committee (constituted vide Notification as per order of Hon’ble Apex Court in T.C. Case No. 126/2015 dated 5th February, 2020) shall result in cancellation of the candidature of such person; or such member may also be removed, from the Bar Council, even after result of election. In case of such removal, the last candidate who was in the queue of elimination, shall be inducted as a Member of State Bar Council. B. Taking shelter of mal-practice, using hate speech or anti-national or anti-institutional speech, using offensive or defamatory words or threatening words against any Judge, Bar Council or any candidate or making false or vague or bald allegation with an intent to damage the reputation or image of any candidate or Member shall be treated to be serious misconduct and corrupt practice; and if proved finally before the Central Election Committee/Tribunal, such conduct/practice may debar such candidate from contesting election; And if any such person has been declared elected, the Central Election Tribunal/Committee may remove such person from the membership of the Bar Council or Bar Council of India. C. Any offensive or defamatory or provocative message or statement or video or audio or speech made viral on social, electronic or print media may be a material and substantive evidence to attract the provisions of these Rules and may be sufficient for the punishment under these Rules. D. Any such offensive/defamatory message or statement or video or audio or speech or threat on any media (social, electronic or print) may disqualify a candidate from becoming a Member of State Bar Council or Bar Council of India. E. The Central Election Tribunal/Committee may also debar such persons from contesting the next election or if the charges are very serious, he/she may be debarred from contesting any election of any Bar Council in future by the Central Election Tribunal/Committee. Chapter-III 7. Procedure regarding complaint/ disputes: - The complaint of mal or corrupt practice or violation of Code of Conduct if made during or prior to the election of State Bar Council, may be made by any Advocate or anybody to the Returning Officer who shall report the matter to the Returning Officer (R.O.) or Observer and the R.O. or the Observer (as the case may be) shall refer the matter to the Central Election Tribunal/Committee alongwith the complaint and the other materials for the final decision. The complaints/Reports/Recommendations may be made online or offline or both. The Central Election Tribunal/Committee shall give the complainant and the candidate/member (as the case may be) an opportunity of hearing before cancelling the candidature of the candidate or before taking a final decision on the complaint. The Central Election Commission/Tribunal shall assign the reason for its decision. The hearings shall be made in hybrid mode depending on the convenience of the parties. 8. Procedure for removal from Membership of Bar Council: -8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] If the Member of any Bar Council commits such misconduct or adopts corrupt practice or violates the Code of Conduct, as presecrbed under chapter-II of these Rules, the General House of Bar Council may pass a resolution for the removal of such member and refer the matter to Central Election Tribunal/Committee for its final approval. The Central Election Tribunal/Committee shall take its decision on the matter of approval or disapproval after giving an opportunity of hearing to the concerned Member and shall pass a seasoned order. The Central Election Tribunal/Committee shall frame its own Regulations laying down the details of procedure in this regard. Chaper-IV 9. Central Election Appellate Committee/Tribunal of Bar Council of India:- In order to secure transparency and fairness and also to avoid the multiplicity of litigations in courts and for early disposal of the election disputes, there shall be an Election Appellate Committee of Bar Council of India consisting of a former Judge of Supreme Court of India to be nominated by Bar Council of India in consultation with Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India and two former Judges of High Court(s) to be nominated by Bar Council of India. Any final order/decision passed by the Central Election Committee/Tribunal can be challenged before this Election Appellate Committee (which may also be called the Election Appellate Tribunal of Bar Council of India) within a period of 15 days of the order/decision of Central Election Committee/Tribunal. The Central Election Committee and the Appellate Committee shall have their secretariate in the premises of Bar Council of India. The Appellate Election Committee shall frame its own Regulations for the disposal of appeals. The hearings before the Appellate Committee shall be in Hybrid Mode depending upon the convenience of the parties. The pleadings of petitioners/appeals/Replies/Rejoinders may be online or offline as per convenience of the parties. Chapter-V Mandatory Rules and Guidelines for election and counting:- 10. (A) The Returning Officer should be either a former Judge of High Court or a Senior Advocate. However, if the Returning Officer is a Senior Advocate, the Bar Council should appoint a former Judge of High Court as the Observer for the election. Provided that a Bar Council can appoint former Judges as Returning Officer and Observer both. The Bar Council may consult the Bar Council of India in the matters of appointments of Returning Officer and Observer, if need be. However, if required, the Central Election Tribunal/Committee may also appoint Returning Officer/Observer, when there is any serious dispute in any Bar Council in this regard. The Order of Central Election Tribunal/Committee shall be final in such matters. NOTE: Serious dispute means a dispute where there is a sharp division among the members on the name of any Returning Officer or Observer or Assistant Returning Officer(s) or Co-observers. (B) The entire process of the counting of votes is to be videographed and the videography is to be kept in a pen-drives; one pen-drive shall be sent to the Central Election Tribunal/Committee by the R.O.. (C) In order to ensure fair, but, peaceful counting process and to ensure safety of ballot boxes, packets, voting papers, strong-rooms, the candidates and/or their agents should not be permitted to enter into the counting hall’s internal sections (or to have physical access to the boxes, packets or voting papers). They shall not enter in the cabins, inside barricade where voting papers are counted. Nobody should be allowed to go near the counting staff; and the candidates/agents should keep at least a distance of 9 feet away from the place where the counting is takes place. (D) The signature of either polling officer or any Assistant Returning Officer or Co-observer shall be sufficient proof the validity of any voting paper/used ballot paper. Moreover, the Bar Councils should (as far as is practicable) try to avoid the booth-wise counting, as it encourages groupism and nepotism in the Institution. (E) After the voting is complete on any polling booth, the ballot boxes and packets (if any), shall be sealed with the signature of polling officer. The polling officer will mention the details of (i) Total number of ballot papers received by them; (ii) Total number of votes polled; (iii) Total number of unused ballots; and (iv) Total number of boxes and packets. All these details shall be mentioned on a register (page) supplied by the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer (at the place where strong room is located) through the Secretary of Bar Council (who is a permanent Officer/employee of the State Bar Council). The relevant page of register should be duly signed by the polling officer or should be signed by any one of the Assistant Returning Officer(s) or any one of the Co-Observers. (F) In case of any dispute with regard to signature (either of polling officer or of Assistant Returning Officer or of Assistant Observer) any one signature if found genuine (by the Returning officer or Observer) shall be sufficient to prove the validity and genuineness of the polling at any polling station/booth. (G) In no event the process of counting shall be stopped on the basis of any sort of complaint in this regard. Provided that, if there is a genuine demand, the Observer may permit any candidate to enter into counting place in order to remove any sort of doubt. But not more than one candidate shall be permitted to enter the counting hall at one time; And soon after verifying the things, the candidate shall leave the hall/place.[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 9 Provided further that, through videography each ballot/voting paper and the relevant mark of voting shall be shown to the candidates/their agents through as many TV Screen(s) as required and it should be recorded and stored in pen- drives. No counting shall be held without showing the actual voting mark(s) to the candidates/their agents in course of videography Chapter-VI Consequences of Misconduct during counting: - 11. The Returning Officer or the Observer may recommend the cancellation of the candidature of anyone who is found to indulge in any sort of hooliganism, baseless protest, shouting slogans against the Returning Officer, Observer or counting team etc. and/or if any candidate or his agent is found to indulge unnecessary disturbance causing hurdle or in manhandling or marpit either in course of counting or the election, the candidature of such candidate may be recommended for cancellation to the Central Election Tribunal/Committee along with the materials. Any order of cancellation of candidature of any candidate shall be required to be passed by the Central Election Tribunal/Committee within 24 hours of receipt of order of Returning Officer/Observer. The Central Election Committee shall pass its reasoned order after hearing the candidates against whom the complaint is made. Chapter-VII Resolution of Dispute:- Any candidate, if feels aggrieved, or has any complaint in these matters may file an election petition before the Central Election Tribunal/Committee of Bar Council of India within 15 days of publication of result. However, for filing a valid election petition, the candidate shall be required to lodge his complaint before the Returning Officer and/or the Observer on the same day when the cause of action arises. The complaint shall disclose details of grounds and the evidence, if any. Once such complaint is received in the office of Retuning Officer and the Observer, the Returning Officer and/or the Observer may issue an Order to the Office to keep the concerned Documents/ Register in safe custody (with the xerox copy to be kept in sealed cover), which may be called for by Central Election Tribunal/Committee anytime during the hearing of Election Petition. Chapter-VIII 12. In order to make the verification Rules 2015 more effective and purposeful in the light of the order (s) of Hon’ble Supreme Court in T.C. (Case) No. 126/2015 and W.P. No. 82/2023 following Rule – 8A is being added herewith in Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (verification) Rules, 2015 The relevant amended Rules shall be as follows: - Rule – 8(A) :-The State Bar Council shall send the xerox copies of certificates for verification to the concerned Examination Boards/Universities at the earliest. The State Bar Council shall take its decision on the basis of report of verification. If any certificate is found to be fake or forged or unrecognised or invalid, the concerned State Bar Council shall bring into the notice of the Bar Council of India and Bar Council of India shall remove the name of such person from the roll of advocates after giving him/her an opportunity of being heard. It is made clear that any certificate or degree, if it is found to be not verified by the concerned Board/University or if the certificate or degree is issued by a Board/University not recognised by the State Govt., such certificate or Degree shall be treated to be invalid; and the name of such person shall be removed from the roll of Advocates. This provision shall have retrospective effect in order to remove the holders of fake or invalid or unrecognised degrees or certificates. Chapter-IX Miscellaneous 13. Rules to have overriding effect:- The provisions of these Rules shall have overriding effect over all the previous resolutions/rules or rules of Bar Council of India or any other State Bar Council with regard to elections of State Bar Council or Bar Council of India. 14. Removal of difficulties:- In case of any doubt or dispute as to the meaning, interpretation, execution of these Rules arises, the Bar Council of India shall be the final authority to settle such issues and its decision thereon shall be final. SRIMANTO SEN, Secy. [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./223/2023-24] Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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