By Gaurav Arora
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 28 : The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday took serious note of an incident in which advocates raised slogans inside the court premises, disrupted court proceedings and obstructed the judicial process.
Terming the conduct contemptuous, the court directed the Registrar (Protocol) to immediately examine CCTV footage from cameras installed outside the courtroom and identify the lawyers involved in the disturbance. The Registrar has been directed to submit a report.
The court clarified that after identification, the matter would be referred to the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council for disciplinary action against the advocates. Contempt proceedings may also be initiated against them.
The incident follows a controversy that erupted on Tuesday in Court No. 49 after a lawyer was warned by the court that he could be sent to jail and was asked to apologise to the SP.
The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has also written to the Chief Justice, calling for a boycott of Court No. 49.
Rakesh Pande, Former President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, says, "Yesterday, in Courtroom 49—presided over by Justice Ajay Bhanot—a police officer had been summoned to appear. The judge has a specific practice in his courtroom: he reserves a particular chair for the official summoned to appear. It seems a lawyer, perhaps unaware of this, sat in that very chair. Subsequently, he was asked—on the instructions of the judge—to vacate it, as it was reserved. It appears he did get up. Later, the government counsel complained to the judge about the incident. The judge then addressed the lawyer, and ultimately, the lawyer—who had occupied the chair—was told to apologize to the police officer... The matter escalated further, and subsequent exchanges led many to feel that the dignity and self-respect of the legal practitioners had been compromised by the court’s actions.
Following yesterday’s incident, the newly elected president and secretary of our executive committee responded by informing the Chief Justice. They requested that action be taken, stating that otherwise, they would boycott this particular courtroom. This morning at  AM—likely while discussions about boycotting the court were underway—a large number of people had gathered. When the judge arrived, some exchanges took place, and subsequently, incidents of vandalism occurred inside the courtroom. I must say that such behavior is improper and entirely inappropriate..."
On Wednesday, advocates created a commotion and raised slogans inside the court premises in connection with the same matter.
The order was passed by a single bench of Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal while hearing the bail application of petitioner Devendra Kumar.