Protection ordered to bar, office-bearers

Justice N Kirubakaran perusing the threat messages received by the members on WhatsApp and holding that it is clear that unruly elements fearing that they would be exposed if the verification of all certificates is done, said, 

“Since the Secretary’s role is essential in verifying documents of enrolled advocates and because of the threat already received, it would be appropriate to give armed protection.” The issue of fake advocates holding Kangaroo courts got into focus when a writ petition pertaining to the takeover of Annai Medical College and Hospital by deployment of certain persons alleged to be lawyers by the erstwhile and present trustees in the college premises had come before Justice Kirubakaran. The Judge passing interim orders on the role played by the advocates directed the BTCP to take up the issue of fake lawyers who indulge in ‘Katta Panchayat’. 

He also directed Advocate General Vijay Narayan who is the Ex-Officio Chairman of BTCP to file a report on the issue and the verification process in progress. When the issue came up on Thursday, the Judge after going through the submissions in his order said, “Taking into consideration, the number of unruly elements who had already entered the profession fraudulently and creating problems, the verification has to be completed to weed out the unruly elements and fake lawyers.” 

Also, on holding that only after a thorough verification, the genuine advocates list could be prepared and election to the Bar Council held, the judge insisted that the verification should not be restricted only to the law degrees alone, but it should be extended to School certificates as well as under-graduate degree certificates.”