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Punjab & Haryana High Court restrains Bar body from moving against advocate

Bar association says no public interest involved in PIL, puts on record its angst against the administration

3 min readChandigarhSep 16, 2025 10:37 PM IST

The division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry took up the matter after Yadav complained that the Bar Association had revived disciplinary proceedings against him in retaliation for the PIL and that he feared expulsion from the association.

The court emphasised that the stay order did not exempt the administration from its duty to maintain hygiene and accessibility. (Express File Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Calling it potential “interference in the process of justice”, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Tuesday restrained the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association from taking any coercive steps against advocate Prithvi Raj Yadav for an ongoing public interest litigation (PIL) against encroachments and unauthorised constructions on the High Court premises. The association, however, mounted a spirited defence, insisting that Yadav’s case had “no public interest” since the Bar, not the administration, had built most of the facilities on the court premises.

The division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry took up the matter after Yadav complained that the Bar Association had revived disciplinary proceedings against him in retaliation for the PIL and that he feared expulsion from the association.

Appearing for the Bar Association, senior advocate Rupinder Khosla, joined by secretary Gagandeep Jammu, mounted a passionate defence. “No, it is actually not in public interest, for the simple reason that these facilities are being provided by the bar association, not by the UT administration. We will not be treating it as public interest,” Khosla told the Bench.

Khosla also urged the court to place on record his lack of trust in both the High Court’s administrative side and the UT administration: “You can place it on record, my lords. I’ve been here for the last 37 years. Neither the High Court administration nor the UT administration has done anything for lawyers or litigants. Take the cafeteria — it cannot house more than 80 people. What has the High Court administration done? Nothing. What has the UT done? Nothing. As far as the parking lot is concerned, something is being done about the kacha parking only now, when your lordship has come.”
The PIL, registered in February 2023, seeks the removal of illegal vendors, unauthorised parking fee collections, and structures.

Yadav told the court that after an order was passed in the PIL on July 11 this year, the association revived disciplinary proceedings against him, which was first initiated in 2023, and a fresh hearing was listed for September 17. He alleged that the process was designed to cancel his Bar membership and deter him from pursuing the PIL, despite him being a member since 1999 with no prior complaints.

The Bar Association’s move stems from a July 2023 resolution by its executive committee, which described Yadav’s PIL as “misconduct” harmful to the association’s financial health and welfare, and referred it to a disciplinary panel.

During the Tuesday hearing, the bench pressed the Bar’s counsel on the validity of that move. “Where is the misconduct? Is misconduct defined in your bylaws?” Chief Justice Nagu asked. “This virtually amounts to interference in the process… How can you stop somebody from raising a public cause, which apparently appears to be public?”

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The bench, making its position clear, told the Bar: “You may not be treating it as public interest… Look, we treat it as public interest.” It then restrained the association from taking any coercive steps against Yadav until the matter is heard further on September 19.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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