New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Amid demands for his resignation, Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said on Saturday that he is willing to step down and face consequences only if “financial irregularities at the BCI are proven”.

Mishra’s response comes a day after BCI Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy reportedly wrote to him, seeking his resignation within 15 days.

In his letter, Reddy raised several questions about the Council’s administrative and financial functioning.

He cited the lack of transparency in appointments, the use of Council funds, the alleged system of accepting donations from law colleges, and the recent NALSAR controversy as damaging to the institution’s credibility, NDTV reported.

Addressing reporters, Manan Kumar Mishra said: “As far as BCI’s money transactions are concerned, it being audited every year by a certified chartered accountant. It is there in the public domain. Anybody can see and make comments about it. There is absolutely no objection by any auditor or anybody.”

However, the BCI Chairman added: “No body can raise a finger on Manan Mishra’s honesty and integrity. I challenge anyone, if they can prove that there is any kind of financial irregularity, I will immediately step down and will be ready to face the consequences.”

Mentioning that it is his seventh term as BCI Chairman, Mishra said: “I have been elected by the lawyers because Manan Mishra is an honest man, he behaves properly with every advocate. Few days back, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, I had raised the voice of advocates for their protection and compensation. I have also raised issues related to backlog of cases, filling of vacancies in lower courts and high courts. Lawyers also know this.”

He added that that there is “absolutely no limitation” on his tenure as the BCI Chairman.

“The Advocate’s Act does not fix any limit on the tenure. I can be the Chairman or a member throughout my life, there is absolutely no bar in the eyes of law,” he said.

On allegations levelled by Reddy, the BCI Chairman added: “Since I am an MP from the BJP, naturally the opponents, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and some people from the Aam Aadmi Party are trying to attack me but it would not make any difference because my voters, the common lawyers, barring a handful of them, know that I am a man of integrity. Therefore, I have the support of the entire lawyer’s fraternity.”

Later, while speaking to IANS, Mishra said: “These allegations are a result of political differences and personal vendetta. Why should I resign according to his wish, as long as I have the support of the Bar Council’s two-third majority.”

–IANS

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