Five candidates vying for the post of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President participated in a debate today, presenting their vision and reasons for seeking the top office.
The lawyers who are contesting for the post of SCBA President are Senior Advocates Adish C Aggarwala, Pradeep Rai and Vikas Singh, along with Advocates Bhupender Singh and Rakesh Upadhyaya.
Kicking off the debate, Aggarwala promised to genuinely uphold secular values.
"I have organised functions for Eid, Christmas...I have not hiked my fees. Our Ex-President suggested that all SCBA members etc would need 25 appearances in the Supreme Court to have voting rights. I assure you that after coming to power, I will present the Justice Nageswara Rao report before the general body and inform the Supreme Court that Sibal took funding in the form of CSR from Adani, Ambani groups, and government public sector undertakings."
Rai issued a rallying cry for unity at the Bar.
"Many lawyers are struggling for proper chambers. I have also got a land allotted in Noida for chambers...I also arranged a railway reservation counter here. I am available to each and every one and I was available to all even during Covid. I got 250 new mediators empaneled."
He added that he would ensure better coordination between the Bar and the Bench, and promised ₹5 lakh insurance coverage for clerks.
Next to speak was Bhupender Singh, who said,
"We are all just workers here, nothing more, nothing less...If anyone is the leader, it is the lawyers who carry the power of attorney by the public who are the real leaders. Overthrow anyone who wishes to make SCBA a club."
Vikas Singh said that if elected, he would restore the dignity of the Bar. Speaking on the issue of chamber allotments, he said,
"The writ petition for chamber allotment was not listed by Justice DY Chandrachud despite 10 mentionings. Then I had to escalate, a special bench was constituted. Judgment was laid down that for such decisions, Bar has to be taken into account. How can 10 crore corpus been negotiated for a 2 lakh cover per member? Even if we used the interest....we could have serviced the lawyers on our own."
He added that first-generation lawyers should be given opportunities such as being appointed court commissioners, instead of such roles routinely going to the sons of judges or senior lawyers.
"The rule that SCBA members cannot vote without having 25 appearances is not just and will not form. Anyone with 25 years practice can always vote."
Lastly, Upadhyay said,
"I have been practicing since the last 43 years. Dignity of bar does not come from words but actions. I cherish democratic values. voice of young lawyers fading in our courtrooms. I will ensure 6 months training period for the lawyers."
Advocate Pragya Baghel, contesting for the post of Secretary, pointed out the poor phone network connectivity in courtrooms and the persistent crowd management issues affecting the institution.
Next, Advocate Bharathi Upadhyaya shared,
“When I first arrived in Delhi years ago, the Supreme Court felt like an intimidating place. I was an outsider, but I chose to stay and grow here.”
Another Secretary candidate, Hema Sahum stated,
We have seen efforts to divide our Bar by money to consolidate power in the hands of a few...Everyone should have the chance to participate. The general body meeting must remain the highest authority, and our association must stay independent,"
Surajita Pattnaik said that she would work to ensure proper chambers, efficient housing management and clean food in the canteen.
Senior Advocates Jitendra Mohan Sharma and Mahalakshmi Pavani conducted the debate.
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