Alleged malpractice in ILI Governing Council Elections; Advocates begin 48 hour fast

Advocate Janak Raj Jai (pictured left) is sitting on a 48 hour fast in front of the India Law Institute (ILI) building in New Delhi in protest against the alleged malpractice in the elections to the Governing Council of the ILI. Dr. K. S. Bhati (pictured right), former registrar of ILI is also fasting along with Jai while Dr. B.N. Mani another former ILI Registrar is also supporting the cause. The results of elections to 20 posts of the Governing Council of ILI were declared on April 4, 2013..Jai had in three separate letters addressed to the Chief Justice of India and other Supreme Court judges alleged that Senior Advocate Rakesh Munjal had interfered with the election process and withheld ballot papers from people who were considered “inconvenient” in the elections..In his letter dated April 3, 2013 addressed to the Chief Justice of India, he had asked for the elections to be stayed, and had sought for the appointment of a commission of inquiry to probe the irregularities in the elections. He had also stated in the said letter that he would go on a 48 hour fast if his demands were not met within 10 days from the date of receipt of the letter..Subsequently, he had written another letter to the Chief Justice on April 15, 2013 informing the Chief Justice of his decision to sit on a 48 hour fast. In the said letter, he had also prayed that the post of Executive Chairman of ILI be revived and that a person elected as Vice President be barred from contesting for a second term for a further three years..Speaking to Bar & Bench, Jai said that he was extremely disappointed that not a single authority had responded to any of his letters and going on a fast in the Gandhian way was the last weapon in his armoury. He also said that he was receiving support from various Bar Associations and will continue his fight against the alleged irregularities.