Dec 16 documentary: Bar Council sends notice to defence lawyers for 'outrageous' remarks

The Bar Council of India (BCI) were holding a meeting of its executive committee Friday evening to discuss the "anti-woman remarks" made by certain lawyers, including a defence counsel of the December 16 gang-rape convict.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) issued show cause notices to the defence counsel of the December 16 gang-rape convict for their 'outrageous' comments in a recent documentary aired by the BBC on Thursday, NDTV reports.

The Council met on Friday evening to discuss the issue, which they believe has brought disrepute to the legal fraternity.

"Considering the seriousness of the matter we have decided to hold the meeting of our executive committee to discuss the remarks of lawyers," Manan Kumar Mishra, the Chirman of the apex lawyers' body said.

He said that the BCI has got the power to take suo motu cognizance of such remarks made by its members. The BCI chief said he had considered various statements of some senior members of the bar that such remarks should be taken note by the lawyer's body.

One of the defence lawyers in the December 16 gang-rape case, advocate M L Sharma has reportedly given a statement reflecting gender bias. In the controversial BBC documentary on the gang rape, Sharma reportedly said such incidents of rape are bound to happen if girls go out without proper security.