Can’t interfere in democratic process of Bar, says SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to restrain the Supreme Court Bar Association from passing any unilateral resolution, saying it can’t interfere in the democratic process of the Bar. Refusing to entertain the plea, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it pertains to the internal affairs of the Association.

It asked the petitioner to approach the election committee of SCBA for its grievances.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Ashish Gopal Garg objecting to resolution passed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) expressing solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The plea sought directions to restrain the SCBA from passing any resolutions till elections.

The SCBA on July 16 appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, which was undertaken to draw attention to issues surrounding the NEET examinations and the broader state of the education system, saying the country needed him to remain “alive, active and engaged” rather than risk his health and life for a system in distress.

SCBA president Vikas Singh had also visited Jantar Mantar to meet Wangchuk and handed over a letter, urging him to end his fast.

In a resolution adopted by its Executive Committee, the SCBA had expressed concern over Wangchuk’s fast.

The committee said Wangchuk had put his health and life at risk for the future of the country’s children and had once again brought national attention to concerns affecting students and educational institutions.