High Court judge RK Nathan today demanded the Bar Council to explain the basis of the allegation which was to be discussed in the council's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) scheduled last year.

"What is the foundation in calling for the meeting? Is it about the Chief Justice (Eusoff Chin) being seen taking photographs with a lawyer (VK Lingam)? Or is there an allegation to show that the lawyer paid for the CJ'strip?" Justice Nathan asked defence council Malik Imtiaz.

In response, Malik said the allegations were as set out in the defamation suit by Insas Bhd against Asian Wall Street Journal reporter Raphael Pura.

"Do you agree that in the Pura case, the allegation related to a lawyer having taken photographs with the CJ overseas which related to both the lawyer and the chief justice's misconduct?" Justice Nathan asked.

In reply, Malik said, "Yes, however, I am not in a position to confirm that this was the only allegation in that lawsuit."

Justice Nathan was hearing a suit by K Raja Segaran against the Bar Council, its immediate former chairman RR Chelvarajah and the Malaysian Bar with regard to an EGM scheduled for Nov 20 last year.

Raja Segaran is seeking a permanent injunction to restrain the council from holding the EGM or any further meetings which constitute contempt of court.

Nathan added that the allegation was an attack and undermined the existence of the judiciary. He then instructed that Raja Segaran, Chelvarajahand Penang State Bar Committee chairman R Rajasingam to take the witness stand when the hearing resumes tomorrow.

"Everybody explain your stand now. This will put a stop to this. If there is no truth in this allegation, we will know under oath," he said.

Raja Segaran is being represented by DP Vijandran while Malik, G Rajasingham and Dinesh Baskaran are acting for the three defendants.

Previous stories

[#1]angered by litigants' absence, abruptly adjourns hearing[/#], Sept 28

[#2]Bar should prove allegations first, argues lawyer[/#], Sept 27

[#3]Bar's stay of court hearing application rejected[/#], Sept 26