'Everyone Knows Who They Are': Mahesh Jethmalani Demands Action Against Lawyers Allegedly Facilitating Bribery

Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani urged the legal profession to examine its own role in contributing to corruption and delays within the justice system during the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi. Jethmalani alleged that "fixer lawyers" who facilitate bribery and manipulate the legal process are well-known to intelligence agencies and should face strict action.

He called for the identities of these lawyers to be shared with the Supreme Court Collegium and emphasized that the future of the Bar should belong to lawyers who rely on their understanding of the law and the merits of their cases, rather than personal connections or influence. Jethmalani also criticized the Bar Council of India for delays in elections to State Bar Councils and the reconstitution of the BCI, as well as alleged nepotism and corruption within the BCI.

He raised concerns about the transparency of investigations into misconduct involving judges, such as the case of Justice Yashwant Varma, and proposed the creation of a National Tribunal Data Grid to increase transparency in tribunal functioning.