Hyderabad: Advocate Shankar alleged that Telangana Bar Council was mired in corruption and irregularities

Basheerbagh: Senior advocate Shankar alleged that Telangana Bar Council was mired in corruption, irregularities and misuse of funds. He was speaking here at Press Club on Sunday along with senior advocates A Srinivas, P Rajakumari and Rapolu Bhaskar.

Speaking to the media, Shankar criticised the Bar Council for lack of transparency regarding use of funds. He alleged that the council had collected Rs 2,500 each from 2,000 advocates who joined the council, which amounted to a a total of Rs 2.25 crore. This apart, the council had collected Rs 1.3 crore for issuing certificates of practice to about 50,000 advocates. However, the collected amount was not disclosed in the annual balance sheet report, he alleged. He said he wrote several letters to the Bar Council of India along with bar councils of AP and Telangana states.

He said that the council had a balance of Rs 30 lakh in November 2019, but after he wrote letters to the bar councils, Rs 80 lakh cash was deposited in the account through two separate vouchers. Suspecting irregularities in its operations, he questioned how the council got such vast amounts in such a short period. He criticized the council for not handing over the details about its funds to the committee formed during the state division. He said that A Narsimha Reddy had been serving as chairman since 2006 and many irregularities were found in its operations. Favours were made to persons close to the chairman in recruitments and promotions, he alleged. Citing an instance of favoritism, he said that S Renuka who joined as typist in 1989 was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1994, joint secretary in 2000, and secretary in 2003, keeping aside many senior staff. Although she got retired, her services were extended and salaries were being paid, he alleged. Shankar demanded the state government to conduct an enquiry into the irregularities and take necessary action against those responsible.