Allahabad High Court Lawyers Protest Judge’s Alleged Misconduct; Disrupt Court Proceedings

Lawyers at the Allahabad High Court disrupted proceedings on Wednesday after accusing a judge of misconduct towards an advocate.

The protest included a courtroom boycott and alleged damage to furniture following an altercation on Tuesday.

The dispute reportedly began when a police officer occupied a seat reserved for lawyers. An advocate asked him to move to the area designated for litigants.

An Additional Government Advocate said the court had reserved a seat for an officer summoned to appear before it.

The government lawyer later informed the judge about the incident.

The judge allegedly reprimanded the advocate, while senior advocate VP Srivastava, who intervened, was reportedly insulted.

Lawyers alleged that the advocate faced threats of imprisonment and was asked to apologise to the Superintendent of Police (SP).

The newly elected president and general secretary of the High Court Bar Association subsequently wrote to the Chief Justice, demanding action and warning of a boycott of the concerned courtroom.

On Wednesday, lawyers raised slogans against the judge as the protest escalated.

Agitated advocates allegedly threw chairs and other furniture towards the dais.

The government lawyer who reported the original incident reportedly faced protesters’ anger.

The disturbance affected proceedings in the Chief Justice’s courtroom for nearly an hour while the court heard Fresh Case No 13.

The Chief Justice’s personal private secretary (PPS) arrived and conveyed a message, following which the court moved to the chamber. Proceedings resumed around noon.

As tensions continued outside Court No 49, senior Justice SD Singh, Justice Siddharth Verma and Justice Rajiv Mishra visited the area. They appealed to lawyers to resume work and maintain peace.

Also Read: Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Four High Court Chief Justice Appointments