Bar Council: Phoolka can’t practise

Chandigarh, July 4
The Delhi Bar Council has disallowed AAP MLA and Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka from resuming practice as he holds an “office of profit”, being the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly with the rank and pay of a Cabinet Minister.
Phoolka had sought permission from the council to fight cases of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims in various courts of New Delhi after he had suspended practice on March 30, when he became the Leader of the Opposition. However, the council, citing rules, said in a letter dated June 30 that an advocate couldn’t resume practice unless he vacated the “office of profit”.
Phoolka gets salary and perks totalling up to Rs 2 lakh per month.
Talking to The Tribune, he said: “I will discuss the matter with my party high command and the Bar Council before deciding the course of action. An MP or MLA can continue practice, but a minister can’t. Till a final call is taken, I will be present in the court among the audience while my team will contest the cases.”
Riot cases against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others are scheduled for resumed hearing tomorrow onwards in Delhi courts. On July 6, the Karkardooma court will hear a plea on Sajjan’s lie detector test.
Sources close to Phoolka said the fight to get justice for riot victims was an emotive issue for him.