Supreme Court: Higher Ethical Standards Expected of Lawyers

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday emphasized that lawyers are held to higher ethical standards, dismissing a petition by a Telangana advocate who sought to contest the upcoming state Bar Council elections despite pending criminal complaints against him.

A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant observed that, prima facie, the petitioner is not someone who should be permitted to contest Bar Council elections. The court was hearing the plea filed by Rapolu Bhaskar, a senior advocate of the Telangana High Court, challenging provisions that disqualify advocates with pending complaints from contesting Bar Council elections.

Representing Bhaskar, the lawyer argued that the petitioner has neither been convicted nor punished in any case. However, the Chief Justice remarked that lawyers are expected to adhere to higher standards of ethical conduct. He added that courts are frequently approached when individuals with questionable records contest public elections, underscoring the importance of integrity in the legal profession.

Supreme Court Cancels Bail in POCSO Case
In a related development, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the potential for evidence tampering or witness intimidation following the grant of bail in cases of sexual abuse against children. A bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna cancelled the bail of an accused in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, originally granted by the Allahabad High Court, highlighting the gravity of such offenses.

The remarks reinforce the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and public trust in the legal system, particularly in matters involving the safety of vulnerable individuals.