The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association to reconsider and withdraw their joint resolution against Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar.
The SCBA said the resolution was “unwarranted”, arguing that Kumar’s remarks were made during judicial proceedings in a matter that was already before the Meghalaya High Court.
The two bar associations had on August 13 passed a joint resolution expelling Kumar from their rolls and seeking his removal as Advocate General. They had objected to his submissions regarding the responsibility of bar associations to ensure a safe environment for women lawyers and law interns.
The SCBA said, however, that Kumar’s remarks needed to be considered in their proper context.
It noted that Kumar, while appearing as Advocate General, had informed the High Court about the action taken in the case and submitted that while “the safety of members of the Bar must be protected”, equal attention must be given to “the safety and dignity of women advocates and law interns”.
The SCBA said the submissions were made in connection with a matter arising from serious allegations by a woman law intern against a senior member of the Bar.