Nirbhaya documentary: BCI seeks clarification from defence lawyers over 'anti-women' remarks

New Delhi: In a latest development in Nirbhaya documentary issue, the Bar Council of India has issued a show-cause notice to defence lawyers of four convicts in 2012 Delhi gang-rape case for their offensive remarks in the film.

The two lawyers, ML Sharma and AP Singh, have been given three weeks time by the BCI to explain why disciplinary action shouldn't be initiated against them for their remarks.

Sharma and Singh, who feature in the documentary as defence lawyers of four convicts, have made several derogatory remarks against women while being interviewed.

"We have issued the show cause notices to ML Sharma and AP Singh for their alleged remarks made in the (BBC) documentary," BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said.

The lawyers' apex body took the decision around midnight after its executive committee meeting in which it was found that there is a "prima facie" case of professional misconduct against these lawyers.

The notices have been issued under a provision of the advocates act and their licences to practice may be cancelled if BCI is not satisfied with their response.

However, while denying to have received any notice, ML Sharma told ANI, "We have not got the notice from the Bar Council of India as yet. The court has placed a stay on the release of the documentary, and we have not committed any contempt of court, or can we be accused of misconduct."

He further went on to say that those people who had seen the documentary and spread the word about it, were in contempt of the court, as there was a ban on the documentary.

"They have violated the court order. I have only spoken for the safety and security of women. Ladies should be protected from society. Fighting for a female is not crime. I will fight for the rights of women. We should respect our courts. We are certainly going to take action," he said

In the controversial BBC documentary on the gang rape, Sharma reportedly said such incidents of rape are bound to happen if girls go out without proper security.

(With Agency inputs)