SCBA Calls for Withdrawal of Resolution Against Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has appealed to the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association to reconsider their recent joint resolution. This resolution seeks action against the Advocate General of Meghalaya, Amit Kumar, following his remarks during court proceedings. The SCBA argues that the call for action is unnecessary, given that the matter is already under judicial consideration by the Meghalaya High Court.
The resolution in question, passed by the two bar associations, expels Kumar from their memberships and demands his removal from the position of Advocate General. The associations took issue with comments allegedly made by Kumar, which criticized the bar bodies for not ensuring a safe environment for women advocates. However, SCBA emphasized the importance of understanding the context in which these remarks were made.
In his capacity as Advocate General, Amit Kumar reported to the High Court on measures taken concerning the safety and dignity of women advocates and law interns. The SCBA highlighted that these remarks were part of a legal proceeding addressing an incident involving the alleged assault of a lawyer in Shillong, who was accused of sexually assaulting a law intern. The High Court had previously expressed alarm over the police’s inaction during the incident.
The SCBA warned that the resolution could potentially escalate the situation further. They urged the bar associations to withdraw their resolution and focus on developing a confidential mechanism for addressing grievances of women in the legal profession. The SCBA underscored that ensuring the safety and dignity of all legal professionals is a shared responsibility of the Bar.
This controversy stems from a High Court case concerning the public parading and alleged physical assault of an advocate, following accusations of misconduct involving a law intern. The case has prompted broader discussions about the safety of legal professionals, especially women, in the region.
