The Delhi Bar Council has temporarily suspended the license of an advocate, Iqbal Malik, for allegedly using his chamber premises to perform conversion of religion.
The notice said that Nikahnama/Marriage Certificate dated June 03, 2021, in respect of the daughter of the complainant has been forwarded along with the complaint wherein the place of performance of Nikah has been mentioned at “F-322, Karkardooma Third Floor, Mazar Wali Masjid”. The notice to Iqbal Malik said, “The description tallies with your chamber, but it has been described as “Mazarwali Masjid”, which makes the allegations made in the complaint much more serious. The complainant has gone and verified from Karkardooma Courts and has made specific allegations of the conduct of anti-social and illegal activities by you from your chamber, for the performance of Nikah.”
The complainant has also alleged that his daughter was forcibly converted as a Muslim and was married from the chamber, which is also shown as a mosque.
The Delhi Bar Council said that the alleged activities are not permissible nor are part of the professional activities of an advocate and your conduct in performing a Nikah and issuance of a certificate of conversion and Nikahnama/Marriage Certificate is disgraceful and negates the dignity of the legal profession.
Further said that looking into the averments in the complaint and the documents, prima-facie the activities of performing the Nikah in the Chamber/ Court premises cannot be permitted by an advocate or any other person, as such it calls for urgent action by the Bar Council.
Ramesh Gupta, Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi noted that the contents of the documents showing an extraordinary situation, has ordered for the constitution of a Special Disciplinary Committee comprising of 3 members namely Himal Akhtar (Vice- Chairman, BCD), K. C. Mittal (Former Chairman & Member, BCD) & Ajayinder Sangwan (Former Hony, Secretary & Member, BCD) to immediately investigate the entire matter to save the dignity and credibility of the institution since the alleged Nikah has taken place within the precincts of Karkardooma Court and that too in a lawyers’ chamber.
“While considering the gravity of the issue and to uphold the dignity and honour of the legal fraternity, the chairman exercised his special powers conferred under Rule 43 of the Bar Council of India Rules and Section 6 (1) (d) of the Advocates Act, 1961, referred the issue to the Special Disciplinary Committee and as an interim measure, considers it necessary and appropriate to suspend your license to practice until the finding and conclusion by the Disciplinary Committee.”
The suspension notice read that “You are further directed to file your response before the Special Disciplinary Committee within 7 days of receipt of this Notice and to appear in person before the committee on July 16, 2021, at 4.00 PM in the office of Bar Council of Delhi at 1-F, Lawyers’ Chambers, Delhi High Court, New Delhi -11003, failing which the Special Disciplinary Committee shall proceed ex-parte and take further appropriåte action."
Ramesh Gupta, the Chairman, has also further considered it appropriate to request the Registrar General of Delhi High Court, District Judge concerned, and DCP, Delhi Police of the concerned area to provide all necessary information and extend all support to the Committee, and in the meantime, requests the District Judge (Incharge), Karkardooma Court to cancel the allotment of your chamber and as an interim measure to seal the same, to immediately stop the illegal activities. The Committee will conduct an inquiry and will make a decision as soon as possible, preferably within 3 months.