Shimla, March 26,
A controversy has erupted in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly after Congress MLA Bhavani Singh Pathania made contentious remarks about lawyers while addressing the issue of drug abuse (Chitta). Pathania alleged that some advocates help drug peddlers secure bail and urged society to raise its voice against such legal professionals. He even suggested an inquiry into the source of their legal fees, implying that lawyers might be benefiting from illicit money.
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His statement triggered immediate backlash from the Shimla Bar Association. Its president, Niranjan Verma, strongly condemned the remarks, calling them irresponsible and inappropriate. Verma emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial, and lawyers play a crucial role in upholding this fundamental right. He argued that such statements tarnish the legal profession and cast unwarranted doubt on the integrity of the judicial system.
While Article 194 of the Constitution grants MLAs immunity for statements made in the assembly, Verma challenged Pathania to repeat his allegations outside the house, daring him to face legal consequences. The Bar Association has demanded an apology, asserting that such reckless comments undermine the rule of law.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate: Is the MLA exposing a harsh reality, or is he unfairly targeting a key pillar of democracy?
