All India Bar Association requests rescheduling of Special General Body Meeting citing safety concerns

New Delhi (India), March 16, 2023: The Chairman of the All India Bar Association, Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala, has written to the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Mr. Vikas Singh, requesting a rescheduling of the special general body meeting, which was scheduled for March 16th.

Dr. Aggarwala has cited concerns regarding the physical safety of the members of the association and has proposed that the meeting be rescheduled to another convenient date after providing a minimum of seven days’ notice. This request is made to include the requisition given by 470 members of the Supreme Court Bar Association in the agenda of the meeting.

Dr. Aggarwala has also suggested that the resolutions proposed, “including the one suggested by the 470 members, be put to a vote by secret ballot to avoid any physical scuffle”. He has further suggested that “The issues be decided democratically by secret ballot in the Bar Library, which is a secured area”. This suggestion has been made to avoid any untoward incidents, given that the association has previously witnessed a physical scuffle when some advocates misbehaved with the then president of SCBA.

In his email, Dr. Aggarwala emphasized the importance of a fair and democratic process in deciding any disputes. He has suggested that “If the dispute is not decided by secret ballot, as there is every possibility that those 470 members may not be in a position to boycott the proposed meeting on March 16”. Instead, he has proposed that “The association should reschedule the meeting to another convenient date after providing a minimum of seven days’ notice”. This, he believes, will ensure that the issues are decided fairly and democratically and that no one can claim any violation of the Supreme Court Bar Association Rules.

Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala has requested a rescheduling of the special general body meeting of March 16th to another convenient date after giving a minimum of seven days’ notice. This request has been made to avoid any physical scuffles among the members and to ensure that the issues are decided fairly and democratically. Dr. Aggarwala has suggested that “he resolutions proposed, including the one presented by the 470 members, may be put to a vote by secret ballot in the Bar Library, which is a secured area, to avoid any untoward incidents.