Congress MP writes to President seeking cancellation of Perarivalan's bar enrolment

Chennai, April 29 Expressing strong opposition to the enrolment of A.G. Perarivalan as an advocate, Congress MP R. Sudha has written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking cancellation of his registration with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

In a detailed representation, Sudha described April 27 -- the day Perarivalan was enrolled -- as a “black day in the judicial history of the nation”.

She also urged that the issue be referred to a larger Bench of the Madras High Court, which is currently examining a related matter concerning the enrolment of individuals with pending criminal cases into the legal profession.

Perarivalan, who was convicted in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and later released following a Supreme Court order citing inordinate delay in deciding his remission plea under Article 161, has now been admitted to the Bar.

However, Sudha argued that this move undermines the dignity of the legal profession. She pointed to Section 24A of the Advocates Act, 1961, which bars individuals convicted of certain offences from enrolling as advocates for two years after completion of their sentence.

While acknowledging the legal provision, the MP contended that it should not be “blindly applied” in cases involving individuals convicted of grave offences, particularly those linked to banned organisations such as the LTTE.

Raising procedural concerns, Sudha also questioned the authority of the current Bar Council to carry out enrolments.

She claimed that the existing office-bearers had effectively ceased to hold office following the conclusion of elections for a new council.

“When a new body is yet to assume charge, how could the outgoing members proceed with such an important enrolment?” she asked, hinting at possible undue haste in clearing Perarivalan’s application.

The Congress leader further alleged that the enrolment application had remained pending for over six months before being approved abruptly.

She called for an independent inquiry, preferably by a retired judge, to examine the circumstances leading to the decision.

Warning of broader implications, Sudha said allowing Perarivalan to practise law would be “demoralising” for young entrants to the profession and deeply distressing for the families of those killed in the assassination. She urged the President to intervene and ensure accountability in the matter.

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