The Bar Council of India has suspended 5,970 advocates from practising law till they pay pending subscription of the Advocates Welfare Fund (AWF).
The Advocates Welfare Fund (BCI) Committee resorted to the action after giving several notices and warning to lawyers.
The Supreme Court has made it clear that lawyers who do not subscribe to the fund cannot be permitted to practice before any court in the country.
As per Rule 40, Chapter-II, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules, every person who enrols as an advocate is mandated to subscribe for the AWF. The same must be renewed every three years.
From 1993, the subscription was converted for life time and it was collected mandatorily during enrolment.
