Ex-CM says action against him futile

Ahmedabad: Former chief minister, Suresh Mehta, in his reply to the Bar Council of Gujarat’s 

show-cause notice has stated that any disciplinary action initiated against him will be futile since he has never put on his lawyer’s coat since 1990.
   The BCG had issued Mehta a notice asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for interfering with its statutory duties under the provisions of the Advocates Act. This happened after Mehta threatened agitation against the lawyers’ body while supporting the advocates, who extend legal support to the riot affected.
   An accused in the Naroda Patia case, Premchand Tiwari has sought cancellation of the lawyers’ license to practice law, accusing them of tutoring the witnesses and fabricating affidavits on behalf of the riots victims.
   Sources said Mehta has stated in his reply to the BCG that he stopped practicing law long back and that his license has not been renewed since 1990. Given that Mehta does not hold a license, there is no question of the BCG revoking it. Mehta was a lawyer and a former judge too. Mehta has confronted the bar council on the allegations leveled against him.