Fake Bar Council notice sparks row; Stenographer arrested in Cuttack

A major controversy erupted on Friday after the Bar Council of Odisha allegedly issued a fake notice directing research associates working in the office of the Advocate General to surrender their lawyer licenses.

Acting on a complaint filed by one of the affected research associates, Adyasha Das, the Lalbag police in Cuttack have arrested a contract stenographer from the Bar Council office in connection with the case.

According to reports, on September 25, the Bar Council issued notices to six research associates, citing Office of Profit violations and asking them to surrender their licenses. The letter appeared authentic, bearing the digital signature of the Bar Council Secretary.

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However, on November 3, the Council issued a clarification stating that the earlier notice had been prepared and sent through a computer without authorisation and was therefore withdrawn.

The Secretary also tendered an apology, mentioning that the Supreme Court’s May 20 judgment had clearly held that research associates are not required to surrender their licenses, rendering the previous directive invalid.

Following an internal probe, it was revealed that a contract stenographer, identified as Chaitanya Behera, had sent the unauthorised notice. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Behera and two Bar Council members under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The Lalbag police have since arrested Chaitanya Behera, produced him before the court, and stated that further investigation is underway.