'Unfounded claims': BCI chairman Manan Mishra rejects allegations, says claims are 'baseless'

Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday rejected allegations made by BCI co-chairman and senior advocate YR Sadasiva Reddy, saying there is “no substance” to the claims and inviting scrutiny of the trust’s accounts.

The exchange comes after Reddy sought Mishra’s resignation, alleging irregularities in appointments, diversion of funds and a lack of transparency in the functioning of the BCI.

Mishra rejects allegations

Responding to the allegations, Mishra told ANI that the claims were baseless and had surfaced only recently.

“If a handful of individuals are making baseless allegations, whether regarding a trust or the appointment of a relative, there is no substance to them. These unfounded claims are surfacing only now,” Mishra said.

Reddy had earlier called for Mishra’s immediate resignation and sought an independent inquiry into the allegations. In a letter dated August 22, he also demanded a special meeting of the BCI to discuss the issues raised by him.

Reddy raises questions over appointments

One of the main issues raised by Reddy concerns appointments to the BCI establishment. He alleged that staff members were appointed without a transparent recruitment process and claimed that several employees had personal links to Mishra.

“Appointments to the establishment of the Council made without any transparent process of recruitment,” Reddy said, identifying it as the first ground for seeking Mishra’s resignation.

Reddy said he had not questioned the appointment process earlier because he had no reason to suspect irregularities. However, he claimed that his examination of the current staff list and employee details revealed what he described as a concerning pattern.

Family links among staff alleged

According to Reddy, several employees are allegedly connected to Mishra personally or are members of, or related to, his family.

“A striking proportion of the staff are persons connected to you personally, several of them being members of, or related to, your own family,” the letter shared by Live Law alleged.

Reddy has sought an independent examination of the issues raised in his letter, while Mishra has rejected the allegations.

The dispute comes amid wider questions raised by Reddy over the functioning and financial affairs of the BCI and its associated trust. Mishra, meanwhile, has challenged the basis of the allegations and invited scrutiny of the accounts.