SC Stays Counting in Delhi Bar Council Polls Over Tampering Allegations
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the counting of votes in the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections following allegations of tampering of ballot papers and directed the Delhi High Court to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi transferred the petitions to the Delhi High Court, observing that effective adjudication of the dispute would require examination of original election records, including ballot papers.
The apex court requested the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to constitute a special division bench within this week to hear the matter expeditiously. Until the High Court decides the case, the Supreme Court ordered that further counting of ballot papers remain in abeyance.
The petitions were filed by advocate Birender Sangwan and others, who alleged irregularities and tampering during the counting process in the elections to the Bar Council of Delhi, the statutory body responsible for regulating advocates in the national capital.
Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Shobha Gupta urged the court to intervene immediately, contending that the integrity of the democratic process within the legal fraternity was at stake. She alleged that tampered ballot papers were being counted and described the situation as an emergency.
The Supreme Court, however, clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations and said all parties would be free to raise their contentions before the High Court.
The bench also noted that it had received a sealed-cover communication dated May 2 from former Delhi High Court judge Justice Talwant Singh concerning the election process. The court directed that the communication be resealed and forwarded to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court for consideration.
The Bar Council of Delhi elections are crucial for the legal community as elected members oversee advocate registration, disciplinary proceedings, welfare measures and representation of lawyers in the capital.