Can Bar Associations refuse to represent an accused? What does the law say?
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Supreme Court of India has consistently ruled that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for Bar Associations to collectively decide not to represent a particular accused individual, as this denies their right to fair trial and legal representation.
- This stance is supported by a 2010 Supreme Court judgment in A.S. Mohammed Rafi v. State of Tamil Nadu, where the court deemed such resolutions by Bar bodies as "wholly illegal, against all traditions and professional ethics".
- Under the Indian legal framework, every accused individual has the right to fair trial and legal representation, and Bar Associations are obligated to uphold this fundamental right by providing representation to those who require it.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.