The Calcutta Weekly Notes Monday May 22 1944

Our attention has been drawn to a Bill introduced by a private member in the Idian Legislative Assembly which seeks to amend the Bar Councils Act and the Legal Practitioners Act with a view to controlling to a specified extent the powers of the High 'Court in taking disciplinary action against members of the profession who have been convicted of political offences. [...] In the “ Statement of Objects and Reasons ” appended to the Bill the sponsor complains that acting in execise of the powers conferred by the general words of the sections the High Courts in co-operation with Bar Councils have struck off the names of members of the profession merely because they were convicted on acount of political opinions or acts done in pursuance thereof. [...] 124A of the Indian Penal Code or under any of the provisions of the Crimnal Law Amendment Act 1908 or of the Defence of India Act or the rules framed thereunder ” if he has not been found guilty of any violence or any incitement to or abetment of violence. [...] In so appling the law on occasions the High Courts have been assisted by the general character. of the language of the sections which have thus cq.me to be a menace to independence of political opinion or action on the part of lawyers. [...] 124A of the Indian Penal Code but.also under any prvision of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 or of the Defence of India Act or the rules framed thereunder.