Lawyers vandalise Allahabad HC courtroom after row over judge's conduct

Chairs were hurled and furniture overturned as a group of lawyers vandalised the courtroom of Allahabad High Court Justice Ajay Bhanot on Wednesday, a day after the High Court Bar Association complained that the judge had allegedly humiliated an advocate, ordered him to be jailed and directed him to apologise to a police officer following an argument over seating arrangements.

The incident occurred when Justice Bhanot entered his courtroom and faced protests from advocates, some of whom raised slogans against him. The confrontation subsequently escalated, with a group of lawyers allegedly damaging tables, chairs and other courtroom furniture.

The unrest followed a letter sent by the newly elected office-bearers of the High Court Bar Association to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, seeking action over Justice Bhanot's alleged conduct during court proceedings on October 27.

𝗛𝗖 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗖𝗧𝗩 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲

Taking note of the disruption, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal directed the Registrar (Protocol) to examine CCTV footage from the camera installed outside Court No. 66 and identify the advocates involved in shouting and sloganeering.

The court ordered that a report identifying the advocates be submitted by November 19. It also indicated that the matter could be referred to the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh for disciplinary proceedings, besides initiating contempt action against those responsible.

"After identifying the advocates, the matter may be referred to the Bar Council of UP for initiation of disciplinary proceedings as well as initiating the contempt proceedings against," the court observed.

Justice Deshwal was informed during proceedings that certain advocates were protesting outside Court No. 49 against Justice Bhanot, causing disturbances during working hours.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

Expressing strong disapproval, Justice Deshwal observed that lawyers could not be permitted to disrupt judicial proceedings merely because they had grievances against a particular court.

"Such incident amounts to interference in the court proceedings as poor litigants come to the high court for redressal of their grievance, and merely because some of the advocates have a problem with a particular court, they cannot be permitted to raise slogans, shout and disturb other courts' proceedings and use such words, which is in the nature of intimidating the court," the judge said.

Calling the conduct wholly unjustified, Justice Deshwal said the actions of some advocates amounted to contempt of court.

"This is wholly unjustified. Therefore, this court is of the view that such conduct of some advocates is absolutely contemptuous," he observed.

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲

According to the High Court Bar Association, the controversy began on Tuesday when an advocate asked a superintendent of police to vacate a seat in Justice Bhanot's courtroom, maintaining that the seat was not meant for the officer.

An additional government advocate allegedly intervened and rebuked the lawyer, warning that he would bring the matter to Justice Bhanot's attention.

When the judge entered the courtroom, he was informed about the exchange. The association alleged that Justice Bhanot subsequently reprimanded the advocate and ordered him to be jailed.

The lawyer reportedly sought forgiveness, but the judge allegedly directed him to apologise to the police officer.

Another advocate then intervened in the matter, following which Justice Bhanot allegedly made remarks that the association described as humiliating.

𝗕𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In its letter to Chief Justice Bhansali, the High Court Bar Association alleged that Justice Bhanot's conduct had adversely affected the dignity of the legal fraternity.

The association described the judge's alleged behaviour as contemptuous and urged the Chief Justice to initiate appropriate action.

The complaint was submitted a day before Wednesday's protests and vandalism, which prompted separate judicial intervention over the conduct of the protesting advocates.

The allegations against Justice Bhanot remain those of the Bar Association, while the High Court has directed an inquiry into the disruption and identification of the lawyers involved.