'How can CBI appoint Lalit as counsel?'

Questions were raised on the CBI's decision to appoint senior advocate UU Lalit as its counsel. One of the petitioners, NGO Common Cause, claimed Lalit's appearance as a CBI counsel was a breach of professional ethics as he was engaged by a private party in coal block allocation matter. HT reports.

Questions were raised on the CBI's decision to appoint senior advocate UU Lalit as its counsel. One of the petitioners, NGO Common Cause, claimed Lalit's appearance as a CBI counsel was a breach of professional ethics as he was engaged by a private party in coal block allocation matter.

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"There is a conflict of interest as UU Lalit, senior advocate, had appeared on behalf of a mining company on November 19, 2012," petitioner's counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court.

Advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, another petitioner, supported Bhushan. While the two objected to his appointment, Lalit chose not to react and defended the CBI.

Bhushan sought to seek a CBI response on whether it could engage a counsel hired by a private party in the same case?

Further, was it permissible for an advocate to first appear for an accused and later get hired by the investigators probing the case involving his first client.

In response to the questions raised the court said it was for Lalit to explain but did not insist for one from the advocate.