Kolkata: The Bar Council of West Bengal has strongly opposed the proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, expressing concerns over what it calls an attempt by the Central Government to curtail the rights and privileges of advocates.
In a press release, the Bar Council stated that the draft amendment seeks to undermine the autonomy of state bar councils, allowing the central government to exercise greater control over the legal fraternity. The council termed the move as “anti-lawyer” and an effort to sideline elected representatives of the legal community.
In response to the proposed changes, the Bar Council of West Bengal has unanimously decided that all bar associations across the state will abstain from judicial work on February 24, 2025 (Monday) and hold protests against what it described as a “draconian” amendment.
The legal community in West Bengal is expected to stage demonstrations to oppose the bill, signaling strong resistance to any move that compromises the independence of the Bar Council.
