Two Law Firms hauled by Election Commission for advertising registration of political parties

In the lead up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India has urged the Bar Council of Delhi to take action against two law firms for advertising their services of political party registration..The websites of the two law firms – one based in Delhi and another in Nagpur – claim that they specialize in political party registration..Delhi-based ABS Associates claims to have registered over 400 political parties, including Justice CS Karnan’s Anti-Corruption Dynamic Party. Fule Legal Solutions, based in Nagpur, claims to have registered over 50 parties..The Election Commission’s notice states that while it is a common practice to take the help of lawyers to register a political party, such advertising by law firms is in contravention of the Bar Council of India Rules..Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules states,.“An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or producing his photographs to be published in connection with cases in which he has been engaged or concerned…”.The Rule goes on to state that advocates and law firms can furnish basic information on their websites. However, the same is limited to name, address, telephone numbers, email id, enrolment number, date of enrolment, name of the bar council where the advocate is enrolled, professional and academic qualifications, and areas of practice..“Any additional other input in the particulars than approved by the Bar Council of India will be deemed to be violation of Rule 36 and such advocates are liable to be proceeded with misconduct under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961.”.And the Bar Council of Delhi has promptly sent a show cause notice to Advocate Irshad Khan of ABS Associates. He has been directed to “stop the paid advertisement and other advertisements on Google”..He has also been directed to file a reply within 30 days and appear before the Council on March 15, failing which ex-parte orders will be passed against him..The two firms were unavailable for comment at the time of publishing this story..Read the Election Commission notice: