BCI courts controversy (again): Lift restrictions stokes online debate

The Bar council of India (BCI) rarely seems to be in the news for the right reasons. However, it seems that the institution in charge of regulation of the legal profession, amongst other things, is bent on taking itself to new lows..The latest is an office order of the BCI which, a photograph of which was tweeted by @roshankar which has stoked a controversy on social media..The order pertains to use of the lift in the BCI building. It has been issued by an order of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and signed by Joint Secretary Ashok Kumar Pandey..As per this office order, any staff member below the rank of Assistant Secretary is barred from using the lift in the building..That’s not all..Sweepers and other outsourced employees are barred from using the lift. Same restriction is placed on “outsiders” unless they are “Learned Advocate” or “Hon’ble judges”..The BCI has, however, been kind enough to allow those above 50 years of age or those who are disabled or unwell to use the lift..If any staff member is not confirming to the norms, he/ she shall lose his attendance for that day. Outsiders using the lift will be required to pay Rs. 50 while sweepers and outsourced employees will lose a day’s wages..It was sheer coincidence that Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda, who was attending a function by Bar Council of Dehradun, chose to tweet about the BCI when the debate was raging on twitter about the ‘Lift notice’..Read the notice below.