SC Upholds Higher Ethical Standards for Lawyers Contesting Bar Elections

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The Supreme Court on Friday emphasized the importance of high ethical standards for lawyers, ruling against a Telangana lawyer who was barred from contesting the upcoming state bar council elections due to pending criminal complaints. The court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, observed that the lawyer, Rapolu Bhaskar, was not suitable to contest the elections. Bhaskar, a prominent Telangana High Court advocate, had challenged the provisions disqualifying advocates in state bar council elections. However, the court upheld the bar council's right to maintain professional standards, citing the public's perception of bar leaders and the quasi-judicial role of elected members in disciplinary cases. Following the court's ruling, Bhaskar withdrew his plea, and the state bar council elections in Telangana are set to conclude by January 31, as per the Supreme Court's directive.