Jammu & Kashmir HCBA says DM order to stall bar elections was outcome of speculation, denies threatening lawyers

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA), Srinagar has refuted allegations that its members had threatened the lawyers of another association, which the JKHCBA says misled the District Magistrate (DM) into issuing an order to stall bar elections..In a press release issued on July 17, the JKHCBA also denied issuing any election notice, contrary to what was indicated in the DM's order issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).."Bar association has not yet issued any election notice, and order issued by the state administration is outcome of mere speculation. It is also made clear that if any election process is conducted by the Bar association same will be done after constitutional review committee's opinion", reads the press release, signed off by the association's chairman, advocate NA Ronga. .As per reports, the DM had restricted people from gathering on the premises of courts where the elections were allegedly due to be conducted after it received a report that the JKHCBA's members had clashed with lawyers of the Kashmir Advocates Association (KAA) on July 13. The DM's Section 144, CrPC order imposing these restrictions was passed on Saturday. The DM order reportedly cited concerns that there may be a breach of peace if the JKHCBA elections were allowed to proceed as scheduled. .The JKHCBA has now responded to the development by refuting allegations that they had threatened or disturbed the KAA's meeting. The JKHCBA has condemned these allegations, claiming that they were made by a self-styled lawyer group consisting of a few advocates.The JKHCBA has always worked for the betterment of society in general and the welfare of lawyers, the press release stated. The association aims to uphold the rule of law, social justice, and universal brotherhood, the JKHCBA added. ."The Bar association defends the right of any person to form group, association and hold legal meetings with the ambit of law of land. It always respects the rights of every individual lawyer or group and treats all legal fraternity as one family and using abusive language, threatening or intimidating any person is outside the scope of Bar association," the press release stated further. .The JKHCBA claimed that the entire episode was orchestrated and aimed at maligning the bar association and misleading government authorities.The authorities have acted without a proper inquiry and issued a Section 144, CrPC order which was neither required nor justified, the JKHCBA said. The association added that such an order would impede the functioning of the Court and the administration of justice. .[Read Press Release]