You cannot do journalism, read the rules; Supreme Court gets angry at the lawyer, the case is related to Brij Bhushan

You cannot do journalism, read the rules; Supreme Court gets angry at the lawyer, the case is related to Brij Bhushan


Referreport

The Supreme Court (SC) has raised questions on a lawyer working as a journalist. A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, while hearing an appeal in the case of Mohammad Kamran vs State of Uttar Pradesh, said that the rules of the Bar Council do not allow lawyers to do journalism. In fact, a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing an appeal filed against the order of the Allahabad High Court, in which the criminal defamation proceedings against former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh were quashed.

Though the court agreed to issue notice on the appeal, it also raised the question as to how the appellant is working both as a lawyer and a journalist. Justice Oka said, “I do not understand your professional misconduct. You say that you are a lawyer as well as a journalist. I have seen the rules of the Bar Council of India… there is a complete ban on this. I do not understand how you are also calling yourself a journalist.”

According to a Bar & Bench report, the Bar Council of India (BCI) rules state that a lawyer who is registered with a state bar council cannot engage in any other employment. However, the lawyer told the Supreme Court that he works as a freelance journalist. On this too, the bench expressed doubt and asked whether this is also allowed or not.

The bench has sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council and the Bar Council of India (BCI) in this case regarding the action to be taken against the appellant Mohammad Kamran. Justice Oka said, “Apart from the notice in the appeal, we will also seek a response from the UP Bar Council and the BCI and they have to tell about the action to be taken against you. The registry will provide a copy of this order. Please do not try like this. Say that you are either a lawyer or a journalist.”

According to the report, the court was hearing an appeal against the March 12 decision of the Allahabad High Court quashing the proceedings in a defamation case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The defamation case relates to two letters written by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh in September 2022, stating that various criminal cases are pending against the complainant (Mohammad Kamran).

The complainant argued that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh addressed her as a conspirator and thief by circulating her letter on social media platforms and newspapers to tarnish her image and reputation. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is currently facing trial on sexual assault charges levelled against him by six Indian wrestlers. On June 15, 2023, the police have filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for offences under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainants had earlier approached the Supreme Court to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Following this, the Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that the FIR has been registered and investigation is underway. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has pleaded innocent before the trial court.

Source: Hindi