The Odisha State Bar Council on Friday issued a notice to law Minister Arun Sahu asking him to explain as to why he has not surrendered his licence issued to him in 1996 by the council to practise law even after becoming a Minister, which is considered to be a professional misconduct as per the Advocates Act of 1961.
The notice was issued to the Minister following a complaint was received here by the council on Thursday from a member of the Nayagarh Bar Association, who alleges that the Minister should have surrendered his licence to practise law immediately after taking the fulltime job of a Minister.
According to sources in the Bar Council here, records in the council office do not show as to whether Sahu ever intended to surrender his licence. The Bar Council Rules governing the advocates say a licensee is not allowed to have any gainful engagement, employment or he cannot do any business other than practising law.
Sources further disclosed that in the absence of a suitable reply from the Minister, the council would decide whether any action needs to be taken against him as per the Advocates Act for professional misconduct.