The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt notice to Delhi Bar Association (DBA) president Sanjeev Nasiar for not conducting the bar elections in time. This is the first time in the history of the Delhi Bar Association that the High Court has issued a contempt notice against it.
Earlier, on May 27, 2015, the bar gave an undertaking in the court of Justice Manmohan that it will conduct elections by January 25, 2016. However, it failed to do so. It again stated that it will conduct elections by July 29 which did not happen.
Justice Manmohan, while issuing contempt notice, said, “Present contempt petition has been filed alleging willful disobedience of order date May 27, 2015 passed by the court where the respondent (DBA) made a statement that the Delhi Bar Association election will be held on or before January 25, 2016… Issue notice to the respondent,” said the court.
The court has now fixed September 28 for DBA to file its reply in the matter.
In his plea against Nasiar, petitioner Naresh Chand Gupta said, “DBA has willfully and intentionally disregarded and disrespected the undertaking given on behalf, whereby the bar was to remain bound for conducting elections. However, polls have not been held by January 25. It is stated that as the elections to Delhi Bar Association has not been yet notified, the bar association has interfered in the administration of justice and is liable to be punished for the contemptuous act.”
Meanwhile, talking to The Pioneer, Divya Darshan Sharma, Secretary, Delhi Bar Association, said that it is ready to conduct the elections but they needed time to conduct all the formalities to proceed with the elections. Earlier, we were going through all the technicalities which were pending like One Bar one Chamber issue.
The petition issued against DBA is wholly a politically motivated thing and is against the DBA president and us. The petitioners are trying to politically motivate the elections, Sharma added.