Bangalore: After taking up the issue of politicians for not suspending their legal practice even after assuming posts of office of profit, the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) has now turned the spotlight on judges.

According to Bar Council of India (BCI) rules, even judges have to inform the respective bar associations if they assume a new post and seek suspension of their practice.

KSBC, during an internal assessment of the rolls of advocates, found that some judges had not asked for suspension of practice even after they were elevated to the Bench.

KSBC chairman Y.R. Sadashiva Reddy said the BCI stipulated that even judges should inform the Bar council through a letter, and request it to suspend their practice. According to the rules on practice contained in Section VII of the BCI rules dealing with restrictions on employment, once an advocate holds another

office, he has to inform the Bar council, requesting it to suspend his practice or remove his name from the rolls. Records available with the KSBC reveal that most of the judges have not written to the council. But, their names have been suspended from the rolls. It was found out that on the day the judges were sworn in, the KSBC had suo motu suspended their names.

Mr. Reddy said the KSBC's action was not in accordance with the rules. The BCI rules stipulate that a letter of requisition was necessary to remove or suspend the names from the rolls. All judges who had been elevated from the Bench had written letters to this effect. Three other judges had submitted letters to the council, he added. The council would now request those judges to send letters to the KSBC, he added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa has conveyed to the KSBC that he wanted his name to be removed from its rolls, and that his practice as an advocate be suspended. Mr. Reddy said Mr. Muniyappa on Thursday intimated him that a letter of requisition to remove his name from the rolls would be sent to the council as early as possible. The KSBC had issued notices to former Chief Ministers S.M. Krishna, Veerappa Moily and N. Dharam Singh; former Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge; and Minister Jagadish Shettar.

Mr. Reddy said that no intimation had been received from them. If a reply was not received within 15 days, the KSBC would initiate suo motu action to remove their names from the rolls, he added.

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