HC orders CBI probe into lawyer’s ‘seeking’ of bribe in judge’s name

Dhanerwal had approached the court under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking a writ of mandamus for police protection. Seeking security from the Chandigarh and Mohali police, he alleged that his former clients had entered his house armed with weapons like ‘Gandasa’, ‘Barcha’, ‘Kirpan’, and ‘dandas’ on several occasions in May, June and July, threatening to eliminate him and his family unless he returned the fees. On July 23, 2025, he alleged, they even entered the High Court premises and Bar Library and issued him threats in front of colleagues.

The court directed the SSPs of Mohali and Chandigarh to assess the threat and provide security if necessary.

In the inquiry that followed, the ex-sarpanch and his son gave a sworn statement in Punjabi accusing the lawyer of extracting lakhs of rupees “for giving it to the government pleader as well as Judge” to secure a favourable outcome.

The court noted the seriousness of the charges, particularly as they echoed a recent case in which another lawyer was booked for taking money in a judge’s name. “The Bench and Bar are two sides of a coin and indispensable companion,” Justice Moudgil observed, stressing that such allegations strike at the root of judicial integrity.

The High Court directed the CBI to investigate both sides of the dispute – the lawyer’s claims of threats to his life and the clients’ charges of fraud and bribery – and submit a report. All authorities concerned were told to extend full cooperation.

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