Protesting advocates held across TN

Advocates were held in different parts of Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and other towns, even as they boycotted courts, demanding withdrawal of the amendments

The protesters raised slogans demanding unconditional withdrawal of recently amended rules to the Advocates Act, which among others provides for disciplinary action against erring lawyers.

A Madurai report said around 200 lawyers blocked the Rameswaram passenger train at Railway Junction in the city for more than half an hour.

The protesting lawyers squatted on the railway tracks for a while blocking the Dhanbad Express, a report from Coimbatore said.

Madras High Court had last month issued a notification, making amendments to existing rules under the Advocates Act with a view to ensure peaceful conduct of court proceedings and suggest disciplinary action against erring advocates.

As the lawyers protested against the amendments, Chief Justice SK Kaul had later said he would not act against lawyers in pursuant to the amended rules, but he could not prevent the Bar Council of India from proceeding against bar associations if they continued their agitation.

BCI had last week warned lawyers that disciplinary action would be initiated against them for indulging in court boycott to protest against the amendments.