At least 161 members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) are calling for the removal of its President following his controversial letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud regarding the farmers” protest. Nearly 150 lawyers associated with the Supreme Court have signed a resolution demanding a general body meeting to discuss the dismissal of SCBA President Adish Aggarwala. They argue that his letter to the CJI, written without proper authority and on the SCBA letterhead, constitutes a misuse of his position.
Previously, the majority of the SCBA”s Executive Committee had distanced themselves from Aggarwala”s letter. In a resolution, 13 out of 21 Executive Committee members clarified that the President acted unilaterally, without consulting them. They emphasised their disagreement with the letter”s contents and dissociated themselves from it, noting that it incorrectly implied the SCBA”s collective opinion.
“This letter has been issued by the President unilaterally without any consultation with the members of the Executive Committee. The letter written on the Supreme Court Bar Association letterhead gives the incorrect impression that the letter is written on behalf of the Supreme Court Bar Association. We do not agree with the contents of the letter and disassociate ourselves with this letter,” the Executive Committee said.
In his letter to the CJI, Aggarwala expressed concern over the farmers” protest and urged proactive judicial intervention to prevent disruption to public life.
“Even if the farmers have genuine demands, they don”t have the right to put the general public to hardship. This is the right time when the Hon”ble Supreme Court should act suo motu and ensure that these farmers don”t create any nuisance and cause huge inconvenience to the general public,” his letter said.
The protest, he said, coming a few months before the general elections, was “politically motivated”. He also requested instructions to prevent adverse court orders due to advocates” non-appearance amidst the ongoing agitation.
The letter argued that “in spite of the best efforts of the Government of India to protect the interest of the farmers, some farmers are en route to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.” He added that “if they are still adamant on protesting, they should protest in their native places”.
The “Delhi Chalo” march, organised by over 200 farmers” unions, is demanding several key reforms from the Central government. These include a legal assurance for Minimum Support Price (MSP) across all crops, a complete waiver of farmer debts, provision of pensions for farmers, and the implementation of recommendations outlined by the Swaminathan Commission.
In preparation for the planned protest on February 13, security measures have been significantly increased at Delhi”s borders. Police have erected barricades and suspended internet services in various districts of Haryana, while Section 144 has been implemented in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh borders to maintain public order.
Multiple layers of barricades, fortified with concertina wires, nails, and substantial concrete obstacles, now line the entry points into the national capital. These measures, coupled with traffic restrictions, have resulted in considerable difficulty for commuters traveling between Delhi and neighboring towns within the NCR (National Capital Region).
