In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court suggested compulsory training for lawyers, drawing a parallel with the training judges receive at the National Judicial Academy. Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal emphasized the need for proper education and certification for advocates, asserting that practicing law should require a certificate from a recognized law university.
The bench expressed concern over the lack of action against erring lawyers by the Bar Council and highlighted the necessity of educating lawyers, including senior advocates, to ensure professionalism and competence in legal practice. The court directed Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju to verify if a summoning order was issued in the case of Souvik Bhattacharya, son of TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya, arrested in connection with the West Bengal teachers’ recruitment “scam,” before scheduling further hearings.
The case involves allegations of irregularities in teachers’ recruitment, with the Enforcement Directorate probing money trails and the CBI investigating recruitment irregularities.