Order suspending licence of Bar Association chief set aside

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

The disciplinary committee, in its order passed yesterday, said the suspension of Malik’s licence as an interim measure was unwarranted and harsh one. Thus, the order dated July 10 passed by the disciplinary committee of the State Bar Council cannot sustain in the eyes of law and the same is set aside.

Malik had challenged various orders passed by the State Bar Council. It had ordered for the suspension of Malik’s licence on July 10 after it received complaints alleging that Malik had removed and taken away the DDR of the CCTV cameras installed on the premises of the High Court Bar Association to destroy the evidence with regard to an FIR registered on July 1. The licence was suspended till the final decision on the complaint. Later, the council stayed the order.

The disciplinary committee had held the hearings in the past two days on a direction of the High Court given on October 23. The High Court had directed the BCI to decide the main matter, pending before it without further delay.

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

The BCI order says, “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.”