CORNERED, DEC 16 GANG RAPE LAWYER SEEKS STAY ON INQUIRIES

Advocate ML Sharma, who made derogatory remarks against women in a BBC documentary on the December 16 gang rape case, on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to restrain the Bar Council of India and Supreme Court Bar Association from proceeding with their respective inquiries against him.

Appearing before a bench headed by justice V Gopala Gowda, Sharma said in the wake of a petition filed by the women lawyers of the top court, the two bar bodies should stop their inquiries. Sharma added he would be subjected to three separate proceedings.

The bench, however, refused to pass any orders and reprimanded him for failing to file his response to the petition that wants his entry in the SC to be banned. A similar action has been sought against the second defence counsel in the gang rape case, advocate AP Singh.

Though Sharma has put in his appearance, Singh continues to be absent.

While re- issuing notice to Singh, the bench asked Sharma to file an affidavit in his defence. It gave him a day’s time to do so and said the court would hear the matter in July.

On the last hearing Sharma had denied making the remarks attributed to him in the documentary. He claimed innocence and sought to apologise if his “unintentional” remarks harmed anyone. Sharma had insisted for an oral hearing and requested the court to allow it to mediate with the women advocates.

The apex disciplinary body for lawyers, the BCI has issued notice to Sharma for the misogynist statement.