Shillong, July 30: The Shillong Bar Association has suspended the advocate accused of molesting an intern,while condemning parading him in street.
A joint statement issued by the association president HR Nath and secretary TL Jyrwa, said that upon learning of the incident circulated on media platforms, the xecutive Clcommittee of the Shillong Bar Association immediately called for an meeting on July 29.
The following resolutions were adopted,
“1. The Association vehemently condemns the act alleged to have been committed by Mr. A.H Hazarika, Advocate against his lady intern. Such conduct, if established, violates professional ethics, constitutional values, and the dignity of the individual, and is wholly unacceptable.
2. In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the Association has decided to issue show cause notice and take stringent action including the suspension of Mr. Hazarika’s membership with the Association, pending investigation and inquiry by the competent authorities viz. the Police agency and the Disciplinary Committee of the State Bar Council.
3. Notwithstanding the gravity of the allegations, the Association however expresses serious concern over the reported actions of certain non-state actors in apprehending, assaulting and parading Mr. Hazarika (in picture) from his office chamber at Keating Road, Shillong to Sadar Police Station. Regardless of the circumstances or allegations involved, no individual deserves to be treated in such a manner. Such acts amount to taking the law into one’s own hands and are unacceptable as they undermine the rule of law and constitutional governance and at most times jeopardises legitimate and genuine cases of the aggrieved party.
4. The Association fully supports and calls for a lawful, impartial and expeditious investigation into both the alleged misconduct committed by the above-named erring member of the Bar and also the reported vigilantism by the non-state actors, through a proper judicial and legal process established by law”.
