THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jamshedpur, March 5: Senior advocate and socialist thinker Sudhir Kumar Pappu, a respected member of the Jamshedpur District Bar Association, has raised serious concerns over senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra’s ability to do justice to both his roles—as a Rajya Sabha MP and as Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI).
Manan Kumar Mishra, who has been elected as BCI Chairman for the seventh consecutive time, is also a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to Sudhir Kumar Pappu, it is impossible for an individual to remain fully committed and impartial to both political and professional responsibilities simultaneously.
“The responsibilities of an MP require strict adherence to the party whip, while the role of BCI Chairman demands an independent stance in the interest of the legal fraternity. Holding both positions compromises integrity and professional ethics,” Pappu remarked.
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Advocate Amendment Act Sparks Controversy
The controversy escalated following the central government’s proposal of the Advocate Amendment Act. Legal professionals across India had strongly opposed this draft, fearing that it would curtail the independence and autonomy of the legal profession. Widespread protests had forced the government to temporarily retract the proposal and transfer it to an expert committee for review.
Despite these developments, Mishra has publicly expressed support for the Act, stating that its passage is his priority. Pappu questioned whether Mishra could guarantee that the existing draft would not be enacted in a form detrimental to lawyers.
Allegations of Political Influence and Unmet Legal Demands
Pappu further alleged that Mishra’s role as a BJP MP could influence his decisions in favor of the government rather than the legal community. He pointed out that when the bill is presented in Parliament, Mishra’s party obligations would require him to vote in its favor, compromising his duty towards lawyers.
Additionally, Pappu criticized Mishra for not introducing the long-pending Advocate Protection Act in the Rajya Sabha as a private bill. He also questioned why Mishra had not leveraged his influence to secure a budget provision of Rs 5000 crore for the welfare of advocates.
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Call for Resignation to Avoid Conflict of Interest
Emphasizing the need for undivided commitment, Pappu urged Mishra to step down from the BCI Chairmanship if he wishes to continue his political journey.
“Manan Kumar Mishra is engaged in active politics in favor of the BJP. It would be best for him to remain a Rajya Sabha MP and resign from the post of BCI Chairman to avoid conflicts of interest,” he asserted.
