After lawyer ‘threatened’ court during hearing, Jharkhand HC takes a stern view, Bar Council chief intervenes

The matter involved a land dispute between the petitioners and an 80-year-old informant. The petitioners were apprehensive about arrest in connection with a case of attempted culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

According to the court, the “hooliganism” was witnessed by several members of the bar — including a senior counsel.

The order stated that such conduct, “which attempted to hinder or obstruct the due administration of justice and amounted to scandalising the court itself”, was a clear case to “initiate the criminal contempt proceeding” against the advocate.

As soon as the matter escalated, Jharkhand State Bar Council chairman Rajendra Krishna arrived in court and intervened, asking the court to not initiate a criminal contempt case. Eventually, the court relented but condemned the advocate’s behaviour, calling it an “an attack on the entire judiciary”. It also referred the matter to the chairman of the bar council.

When contacted, Jharkhand Bar Council chairman Rajendra Krishna confirmed that the case was under review. Under the Advocates Act, 1961, a disciplinary committee conducts inquiry into cases of misconduct. If it finds merit in the allegation, the committee could either reprimand the advocate, suspend them from practice for a certain period, or even remove the advocate’s name from the state roll.

“The matter has been referred to us on grounds of gross misconduct. We will go through the case today. The Council is expected to act in a disciplined manner. Advocates are officers of the court, and dignity has to be maintained,” he said.