New Delhi, Sep 25 (Reporter) The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain the petitions of various Bar Associations in Delhi seeking relaxation of certain eligibility criteria to vote in the upcoming Bar Elections and asked them to approach the High Court first. A Bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice KV Viswanathan asked the petitioners to first approach the Delhi High Court in the matter The eligibility criteria in question included the need to furnish proximity cards and show that one is a bonafide practising advocate such as by furnishing proof of at least twelve court appearances in a year. On March 19 The Delhi High Court had directed all District Courts in Delhi to conduct bar elections simultaneously in the national capital on one single day. By this judgment, a full Bench of the High Court had also laid down the eligibility criteria for voting for the bar elections The court further listed various categories of bonafide advocates deemed eligible to vote, including all senior advocates, former judicial officers, partners or associates of registered law firms (who were to furnish proof of having been given professional remuneration in the last six months) and advocates having a standing for over 25 years. Three conditions mentioned in this ruling were challenged before the Supreme Court by Advocate Anurag Rawal, a partner of Atharva Law Chambers. The conditions so challenged were the requirement of a proximity card, the need to show a minimum of twelve court appearances, and the requirement for advocates of law firms to submit slips showing their payment of professional remuneration for the last six months. The March 19 High Court judgment in which these criteria were issued also included directions to curb the role of money in bar elections. To ensure the purity of the poll process, no election parties should be hosted and no hoardings should be put up, the High Court had added. However, the Supreme Court said that the High Court should first be approached in the matter and refused to entertain the appeal. The Supreme Court, while dealing with another petition about the welfare of advocates expressed its surprise over the large sums of money that are spent by candidates in elections to Bar Councils and Bar Associations...////...