Kohima Bar Association Alleges Nexus Between Police and Advocates
First Published: 13th August, 2024 20:17 IST
Kohima Bar Association President, Kekhriengulie said that if similar cases emerge in the future, the licenses of the involved individuals could face cancellation.
The Kohima Bar Association has alleged a growing illicit nexus between police and advocates in Nagaland, which it claimed was affecting the criminal justice system and violating the personal liberty of the accused.
Issuing a statement, the Kohima Bar Association highlighted that even as Article 22 of the Indian Constitution allows an accused to engage an advocate of his or her choice, some police and jail officials are compelling the accused or their relatives to engage a particular advocate for bail, and even take a percentage of the fees collected.
It said that this illegitimate syndicate between the police and the advocates is only aimed at extorting money from helpless accused when detained in police custody.
“In many cases, when an accused is arrested in the first instance and brought to the police station or jail, the concerned police/jail officials will compel the accused and/or his/her relatives/families/friends to engage a particular advocate for bail. Vakalatnamas(legal document authorizing an advocate to represent a litigant) or phone numbers of handpicked advocates are kept at police stations/jailsand the accused will be compelled to appoint a particular advocate for their court cases. Behind this illicit practice,the concerned advocate will share a percentage of the fees collected with the police, as per their pre-agreed rate. This is the commission which the corrupt officials receive,” the Association said.
Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Kohima Bar Association President, Kekhriengulie said that referring to these malpractices, as a primary step, the Association has issued a statement to raise public awareness and combat such malpractices. However, no formal FIR has been lodged as of now.
He said that if similar cases emerge in the future, the licenses of the involved individuals could face cancellation.
“Any person who will be found doing malpractices in the conduct, the Association will take action even to the extent of cancelling their licence. But that can not be done at the level of the Association, It will be taken at the level of the state Bar Council,” said Kekhriengulie.
Also Read: Centre Considering Funding To Proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory
Also Watch:
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Meghalaya: Congress Announces 3 More Candidates for JHADC Polls
14th January 2025
Live AK Mishra-Led 3-Member GOI Team in Dimapur for Talks with ENPO On Frontier Nagaland Territory Tomorrow
14th January 2025
Live Lack of Access To Schools Key Reason For High Dropout in Meghalaya: Education Dept Official
14th January 2025
Live Manipur: Security Forces Recover Weapons, War-Like Stores From Nepali Basti, Zero Point – P1 Railway Site Road
14th January 2025
WE RECOMMEND
AK Mishra-Led 3-Member GOI Team in Dimapur for Talks with ENPO On Frontier Nagaland Territory Tomorrow
Earlier, on January 12, the ENPO had convened a consultative meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union.
14th January 2025
FNT: 2nd Tripartite Talk on January 15 in Dimapur, AK Mishra to Attend
Ahead of this meeting, the ENPO has organised a consultative meeting with the 20-member Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) on January 12
10th January 2025
Nagaland Cabinet Decides To Oppose Home Ministry’s Decision To Reimpose Protected Area Permit in Nagaland
According to a senior cabinet member, the decision was taken citing the peaceful law and order situation in the state and the absence of any influx of illegal immigrants.
06th January 2025
ANSAM Elects New Office Bearers, Angteshang Charanga Appointed President
The general election of the All Naga Students Association (ANSAM) was held on Saturday (December 28) at ANSAM Secretariat Complex, Tahamzam in Senapati.
29th December 2024
Centre Asks Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram to Monitor Foreigners’ Activities Closely
The Union Home Ministry urged state governments to ensure full compliance and to sensitize all relevant authorities.
25th December 2024