From its very inception, the Supreme Court Bar Association has been in the vanguard of the movement for upholding, maintaining and consolidation of the constitutional values of democracy, rule of law and independence of Judiciary. In its meeting dated 4th May, 1951, the Executive Committee of the Bar Association consisting of legal luminaries like M. C. Setalvad, C. K. Daphtary and K. M. Munshi spoke of their deep concern against the first amendment of the Constitution. The Committee in its resolution observed that no attempt should be made to abridge or limit the Fundamental Rights. The Committee further pointed out that the Constitution was in operation only for a short period of sixteen months and the Supreme Court had no occasion to pronounce on the validity of various State laws. The Executive Committee also condemned the proposed move to combine the office of Law Minister and Attorney General as a threat to independence of Judiciary. During the first decade itself, the Bar Association showed its humane concern for poor litigants and decided to have its own Legal Aid Scheme. It came forward to raise its voice against the contempt notice issued by Patna High Court against the defence lawyer who had written an article against the report of the Law Commission. The Supreme Court Bar Association has thus maintained its fraternal links with other Bar Associations in India. It also showed its concern for the indigent and infirm members of the Bar who needed financial support. During this first decade, the Supreme Court also showed interest in the legal research by becoming a corporate member of the Indian Law Institute.
