Dehradun Bar seeks DM’s transfer over action against ex-president

Dehradun: Bar Association has written to the Prime Minister seeking the transfer of district magistrate Savin Bansal after he recommended cancellation of the licence of former Bar president advocate Prem Chand Sharma (85).The recommendation was sent to the state law secretary and the Bar Council of India (BCI). Meanwhile, advocates continued their pen-down strike in revenue courts for the second day.Bar secretary Ajay Bisht said the strike at revenue courts and the registry office would continue until the DM is transferred. “Before writing to BCI, the DM had not discussed the matter with the Bar. Also, it was a confidential letter that is now being circulated on social media. Advocate Sharma raised issues of pending cases in large numbers and other irregularities at the revenue court. He has been practicing for the last 55 years and no presiding officer has ever complained against him,” Bisht said.At a general body meeting, advocates condemned the DM’s move, calling it unjust and an affront to the dignity of the legal fraternity.In his letter to the state law secretary, the DM alleged that during a hearing on March 25, Sharma behaved aggressively, shouted in court, and made derogatory remarks. He termed it professional misconduct and forwarded the complaint to the BCI.