The Advocates' Association of Bengaluru (AAB) has written to the Bar Council of India (BCI) seeking the removal of Karnataka Bar Council chairperson Mittala Kod SS for failing to speak proper English. 

The AAB said that the Bar Council chairperson humiliated Karnataka by mispronouncing English words in his recent speech welcoming Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and other judges who had recently been sworn in as judges of the Karnataka High Court.

“In the recent welcome ceremony of Chief Justice of Karnataka Hon'ble Mr. Justice Vibhu Bhakru and other transferred judges, the chairman Mr. Mittala Kod SS has humiliated Karnataka by not being able to speak proper English and by mispronouncing words in the speech and misspelling the names of the judges in his welcome address at Court Hall No 1,” the July 22 letter said. 

It stated the chairperson made several other mistakes in his address, embarrassing judges, lawyers, family members and other dignitaries who expressed serious objection at the speech read out by the chairperson in unacceptable and broken English.

The association asked the BCI to appoint another member to address court hall 1 on such occasions. 

It threatened that if such appointment is not made, the association would request the Chief Justice to appoint the Advocate General to address court hall 1 during these functions. 

“We request you to act upon our resolution and till he is removed at least spare Karnataka the embarrassment of the address at Court Hall No. 1. Kindly appoint another bar council member to address or direct Sri Mittala Kod SS to address in our local language Kannada and ask a translator to translate the same,” the letter said. 

The association said that it is also seeking Kod’s removal because of his stand to stop welfare stamps for the AAB. 

[Read AAB Letter]