The controversy surrounding the upcoming Hisar District Bar Association elections has intensified after senior advocate Ajay Chaudhary questioned the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council. Referring to previous High Court judgments, Chaudhary asserted that bar councils have no legal authority to interfere in the internal functioning or election matters of bar associations.
The dispute escalated after the ad hoc committee distanced itself from the proposed June 12 elections. Citing the judgments in Mohammad Arif Siddiqui vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others and Bar Association Lahar vs State Bar Council of MP, Chaudhary said both the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh High Courts clearly held that bar councils cannot stall or control elections of independent bar associations.
Senior advocate and returning officer Dalip Jakhar maintained that the general house had unanimously authorized him to conduct the elections and that polling would be held as scheduled on June 12. The election process has become a flashpoint between the bar association and the bar council, with legal arguments centering on the autonomy of bar associations under the Advocates Act, 1961.
Chaudhary emphasized that the High Court rulings establish a clear precedent that bar councils cannot interfere in the democratic functioning of bar associations. He urged the bar council to withdraw any directives that could disrupt the election schedule. Meanwhile, Jakhar reiterated that the election process is being conducted transparently and in accordance with the bylaws of the association.
The issue has drawn attention from legal circles across Haryana, with many lawyers closely watching the outcome. The Hisar District Bar Association elections are expected to see a high voter turnout as members seek to elect their office bearers for the next term.
