Report No. 266

10. Insertion of new section 9B.

After section 9A of the Advocates Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-

9B. Special Public Grievance Redressal Committee of Bar Council of India:-

(1) The Bar Council of India shall constitute a Special Public Grievance Redressal Committee consisting of the following members, namely:-

(i) one former Judge of Supreme Court or Chief Justice of any High Court as its Chairman;

(ii) two retired Judges of different High Courts as its members;

(iii) one senior Advocate;

(iv) one member of the Bar Council of India;

(2) The Special Public Grievance Redressal Committee shall inquire into any allegation or complaint of corrupt practices or misconduct against any office bearer or member of the Bar Council of India in discharge of his duties as a member of the Council, which is referred to it by the Council.

(3) The inquiry report of the Committee shall be placed before the General Body meeting of the Council and the Council after considering the report may-

(i) accept the findings of the report and lodge a First Information Report; or

(ii) accept the report and may refer the matter to initiate a disciplinary proceedings against the office-bearer or as the case may be a member, or

(iii) not accept the report, for the reasons to be recorded in writing.".