Will not interfere in everyday working of Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh till mediation is on: BCI tells Delhi High Court

The Bar Council of India (BCI) today assured the Delhi High Court that it would not interfere in the day-to-day working of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh (BCUP) during the period of mediation between the two lawyers bodies (Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh v. Bar Council of India)..After taking the assurance on record, the Court added that in case of any issue between now and the mediation, which is scheduled to take place on March 15, the counsel for BCUP may bring the same to the knowledge of the counsel for BCI so that appropriate remedial measures if required, may be taken. .A Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh was hearing BCUP's petition challenging BCI's decision to appoint a committee to look after the activities of the State lawyers' body after it was unanimously resolved that Rohitshav Kumar Aggarwal shall continue working as its Chairman. .The BCUP had also challenged BCI decision to put the bank accounts of the former under the control of a three-member election committee. .BCUP today sought interim relief in the matter on account of a letter issued by one of the members of the BCI-appointed committee. In the letter, the undersigned had sought to impress that the High Court had not passed any interim orders in the petition. .In response, counsel for BCI Preet Pal Singh, as well as its Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, informed the Court that BCI has already issued a letter stating that Aggarwal shall continue to operate the bank accounts. .Any letter written on March 6 by any member of the committee appointed by it would have no operation, BCI clarified..In view of the statement, the Court opined that no further orders were required as of now. .In case the representatives of BCUP were unable to travel for the mediation, the Court has asked BCI to adopt a hybrid facility for the meeting. .The Court also suggested the appointment of a third party to the mediation. The suggestion was, however, declined by BCI Chairman Mishra. ."BCI will not accept this. Let BCI restore its prestige and position. This should be avoided," Mishra stated as he argued that it would set a bad precedent..Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora appreared for BCUP..The matter will be heard next on April 19.