BCD suspends lawyer's licence for 'forceful conversion' to Islam, performing nikah from chamber

Prima facie, the activity of performing Nikah in the chamber or court premises, cannot be permitted, the lawyers' body said

The Bar Council of Delhi on Monday suspended the licence of a lawyer for allegedly using his court chamber for performing religious conversions and Muslim marriages.

The secretary of lawyers’ body has sent a communication to the lawyer, Iqbal Malik, claiming that illegal activities in the chamber of an advocate negated the dignity of legal profession.

"The alleged activities are not permissible nor are part of the professional activities of an advocate and your conduct in performing a Nikah and issuance of certificate of conversion and Nikahnama/Marriage certificate is totally disgraceful and negates the dignity of legal profession," a letter issued by Secretary Piyush Gupta stated.

The allegation was reported by one, Sohan Singh Tomar who claimed Malik's chamber was being used for illegal activities, where Nikah (Muslim marriage) and religious conversions were being performed at Karkardooma Court premises.

The communication sent to Malik added that has also been revealed from the documents that a conversion trust is being run by him from his chamber and address of a Quazi has been mentioned as F-73 Karkardooma court.

“The complainant has also alleged that his daughter was forcibly converted as Muslim and was married from your chamber, which is also shown as mosque," it added.

The BCD said since there are different numbers mentioned in the documents, i.e. F-322 and F-73, the matter requires investigation to ascertain complete facts and truths.

Prima facie, the activity of performing Nikah in the chamber or court premises, cannot be permitted and it calls for urgent action by the Bar Council, the lawyers’ regulatory body said.

The BCD ordered constitution of a special disciplinary committee comprising Himal Akhtar (Vice Chairman, BCD), KC Mittal (Former Chairman, BCD) and Ajayinder Sangwan (Former Secretary, BCD), to immediately investigate the entire matter to save the dignity and credibility of the institution.

The BCD also suspended the license of the lawyer as a temporary measure and directed Malik to submit his response within seven days and appear (in-person) before the Disciplinary committee on July 16 at 4.00 pm.