BCI sets aside order suspending licence of Punjab and Haryana HC Bar Association chief Vikas Malik

Disciplinary committee of Bar Council of India (BCI) has set aside the order of Punjab and Haryana Bar Council suspending the licence of Vikas Malik, president, Bar Association of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In the order passed on Sunday, the disciplinary committee said that the suspension of licence of Vikas Malik as an interim measure is an unwarranted and harsh one. Thus, the order passed by the disciplinary committee of State Bar Council cannot sustain in the eyes of law and the same is set aside.

Malik had challenged various orders passed by the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council before the BCI.

The State Bar Council had suspended the licence on July 10 after it received complaints in which it was alleged that Malik has removed and taken away the DDR of the CCTV cameras installed in the premises of the High Court Bar Association to destroy the evidence with regard to FIR registered on July 1.

BCI’s disciplinary committee held the hearings in last two days on the direction of Punjab and Haryana High Court on October 23.

Malik is facing allegations of embezzlement of funds of Punjab and Haryana Bar Association, however, these have been refuted by him.

The order of BCI further said: “It is made clear that the observations made herein above are strictly for disposal of appeals and nothing contained therein shall be construed as an expression of opinion of any controversy between the parties on merits and their rival claims. Parties are directed to appear before the State Bar Council on October 29, 2024 at 4 PM.”