AMBA warns action against BJP Manipur minority cell

Imphal: Necessary legal action will be taken up against president BJP Manipur minority cell, MK Aatif Asker Ali if he fails to clarify within seven days regarding the post he uploaded in social media that could mislead the fraternity in the society, president of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), P Tomcha Meetei warns.

Tombi said on February 2, state president of BJP minority cell, MK Aatif Asker Ali and Subhash Waikhom uploaded a post along with a photograph of an advocate and “VAKALATNAMA” with a caption that the cell will flash names of advocates who defend a drug related case of a culprit.

He said the statement in social media could be taken as a challenge to the advocate fraternity which could be taken as no advocate can defend any drug related case.

Tomcha said under Indian Constitution’a Article 22(1) and CrPC 303 any person can hire an advocate to defend a case. If the advocates are not allowed to defend a case then it could be taken as violation of the Constitution, he added.

Under Indian Constitution the advocates are given the rights to defend a case under different sections. Before uploading such “VAKALATNAMA”, Asker should consult with the legal cell of BJP, he said.

Similar incident had also occurred earlier that a six-student’s body had claimed on December last year through media that no advocate should defend any drug related case for a culprit, he said.

General Secretary of AMBA, Maisnam Johnny Meitei said no action will be taken against Asker at present. He appealed student bodies, CSOs or any political parties to consult with legal cell or experts before giving any sort of opinion if the issue is related to court proceedings.