High court allows bar elections at Karkardooma and Tis Hazari courts

NEWDELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday allowed the Bar associations of the Tis Hazari and Karkardooma district courts to hold their elections on December 13.

The direction came after an advocate sought lifting of the stay on the elections the High Court had imposed in the wake of the violence that had broken out between the police and lawyers on November 2.

A bench of Justice G S Sistani and Justice AJ Bhambhani said two retired judges of the Delhi — Justice Vinod Goel and Justice Kailash Gambhir — will oversee the elections at the courts.

The court was hearing an application filed by advocate V K Singh, who is contesting for the vice-president’s post in the Shahadra Bar Association (SBA).

In his plea, Singh said since the conditions are normal, elections can now be conducted at the Karkardooma courts. Members of the Tis Hazari courts also urged the court to vacate the stay.

The counsels appearing for the petitioner assured the court that elections would be held in fair and free manner and that the police can make security arrangements. Following the assurances, the High Court directed that the elections be held on December 13 at both district courts. It said the candidates should assure that non-advocates are not included in the election process. It also said that the election will be held under the supervision of the retired judges appointed by the court. The High Court had earlier postponed the elections till December 20 in wake of the violence between lawyers and police over a parking dispute.