M.P. THAKKAR

(1) A public officer convicted for accepting illegal gratification in respect of his official duty under sec. 110 and under sec. 120 read with sec. 34 of the Indian Penal Code has invoked our extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in order to seek a direction calling upon the Bar Council to enroll him as a member of the Bar without waiting for the lapse of the period of 2 years after his release from imprisonment as enjoined by sec. 24A of the Advocates Act 1961 (Does 2 years waiting make him suitable for enrollment as a member of the Noble Profession is a question which causes mental turmoil to which me will give sent in passing after a for moments).

(2) Sec. 24A may now be placed under spotlight:

"24 Disqualification for enrollment

(i) No Person shall be admitted as an advocate on a State Roll

(a) if he is convicted of all offence involving moral turpitude;

(b) if he is convicted of an offence under the provisions of the Untouchability (Offences) Act 1955

Provided that the disqualification for enrollment as aforesaid shall cease to have effect after a period of two years has elapsed since his Release.

(ii) Nothing contained in sub-section (i) shall apply to a person who having been found guilty is dealt with under the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act 1958

We will deal with the Constitutional challenge to the aforesaid provision anon. We however wish to observe that even if we had been persuaded to admit this petition we would not have granted mandatory interim order and directed the Bar Council to enroll as a member of the Bar a person who has been convicted for such offences. Under the circumstances the petition on any case would not have come up for hearing for more than two years and the petition would have become infructuous or superfluous by reason of the fact that as per the position of law as at present in view of sec. 24A on the expiry of two years after his release from imprisonment an ex-convict becomes entitled to be enrolled as a member of the Bar. But as we indicated at the commencements we are not inclined to admit the petition on merits. ... ... .. .. .. We however wish to avail of this opportunity to place on record our feeling of distress and dismay at the fact that a public servant who is found guilty of an offence of taking an illegal gratification in the discharge of his official duties by a competent Court can be enrolled as a member of the Bar even after a lapse of two 5rears from the date of his release from imprisonment. It is for the authorities who are concerned with this question to reflect on the question as to whether such a provision is in keeping with the high stature which the profession (which we so often describe as the noble profession) enjoys and from which even the members if highest judiciary are drawn. It is not a crime of passion committed in a moment of loss of equilibrium. Corruption is an offence which is committed after deliberation and the comes a way of life for him A corrupt apple cannot become a good apple with passage of time It is for the legal profession to consider whether it would like such a provision to continue to remain on the Statute Book and would like to continue to admit persons who have been convacated for offences involving moral turpitude and persons who have been found guilty of acceptance of illegal gratification rape dictate forgery misappropriation of public funds relating to counter fact currency and coins and other offences of like nature to be enrolled as members merely because two years have elapsed after the date of their release from imprisonment. Does passage of 2 years cleanse such a person of the corrupt character trait purify his mind and transform him into a person fit for being enrolled as a member of this noble profession I Enrolled so that widows can go to him matters pertaining to properties of minors and matters on behalf of workers pitted against rich and influential persons can be entrusted to him without qualms Court records can be placed at his disposal his word at the Bar should be accepted Should a character certificate in the form of a Black Gown be given to him so that a promise of probity and trustworthiness is held out to the unwary litigants seeking justice A copy of this order may therefore be sent to the appropriate authorities concerned with the administration of the Bar Council of India and the State Bar Council Ministry of Law of the Government of India and Law Commission in order that the matter may be examined fully and closely with the end in view to preserve the image of the profession and protect the seekers for justice from dangers inherent in admitting such persons on the rolls of the Bar Council.

(3) Subject to the aforesaid observations the petition is rejected. Petition rejected.