Furniture thrown, proceedings disrupted as lawyers’ protest against HC judge turns chaotic

The lawyers were protesting over the alleged mistreatment of their colleague by Justice Ajay Bhanot of the Allahabad HC.

Chaos erupted in one of the courtrooms at the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday as protests against a judge escalated, with advocates allegedly throwing furniture towards the dais. The conduct of the lawyers prompted the court to consider disciplinary and contempt proceedings against those involved.

A Bench of Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal was hearing a bail application when slogans and commotion from the adjoining corridor interrupted the proceedings.

After being informed that the lawyers were protesting over the alleged mistreatment of their colleague, the judge expressed concern over the disruption caused to litigants and the functioning of the court. The protest reportedly stemmed from allegations that a lawyer had been mistreated by Justice Ajay Bhanot.

Terming the conduct of the lawyers as “wholly unjustified” and “contemptuous”, the Bench observed that litigants approach the court seeking judicial relief and should not suffer because of disagreements between lawyers and a particular judge.

“Registrar (Protocol) is directed to get the CCTV footage of camera installed outside of Court No.66, identify the advocates involved in the incident and submit a report to this court by next date of listing. After identifying the advocates, the matter may be referred to the Bar Council of U.P. for initiation of disciplinary proceedings as well as initiation of contempt proceedings against them,” Justice Deshwal ordered.