After SCBA push, Supreme Court initiates case over Andhra Pradesh HC judge’s conduct with young lawyer

The Supreme Court has taken cognisance of an incident from the Andhra Pradesh High Court where a judge had directed that a young lawyer be taken into police custody during court proceedings.

The apex court decided to examine the matter after the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) passed a resolution expressing “deep concern and shock” over the incident involving Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The controversy arose from proceedings before the Andhra Pradesh High Court on May 5 during the hearing of a petition challenging a Look Out Circular and the impounding of a litigant’s passport.

During the hearing, Justice Rao rebuked the young advocate appearing in the matter and questioned whether he considered himself a “great Senior Advocate.”

“Have I decided to dismiss your writ petition? Generally what the judges will do, they will follow their own orders. Are you thinking [you] are a great Senior Advocate? Call the police. You go and file appeal,” the judge told the lawyer.

A video clip of the exchange, which later went viral on social media, showed the advocate apologising repeatedly and pleading for leniency with folded hands.

“Sorry… I am begging for your grace, your lordships,” the lawyer was heard saying.

The Court nevertheless proceeded to direct police personnel to take the advocate into custody for 24 hours, while also observing that the counsel had behaved “indolently.”

According to sources, the direction was later withdrawn following intervention by the High Court Bar Association.

The incident triggered sharp reactions from bar bodies across the country.

In its resolution dated May 6, the SCBA said the episode had “deeply disappointed young members of the legal profession” and warned that actions causing fear, humiliation, or intimidation amongst young advocates could adversely affect the independence of the Bar and the justice delivery system.

“The SCBA firmly believes that the relationship between the Bench and the Bar is founded upon mutual respect, dignity, patience, and institutional balance,” the SCBA resolution stated.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) also wrote to the Chief Justice of India seeking intervention and raising concerns over the conduct of the judge.

Referring to the viral video, the BCI said the incident raised serious concerns regarding judicial temperament, proportionality and fairness.

“Incidents of this nature have a chilling effect upon young members of the Bar. They create fear in the minds. The dignity of the Court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open Court and is still sent to custody for a procedural lapse,” the BCI said.

The BCI also stated that it found “nothing wrong" with the conduct of the young Lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Bar Association issued a separate statement condemning the conduct perceived as “intimidating, humiliating, or bullying,” particularly towards younger members of the profession.

The association said such behaviour undermined the relationship of friendship, warmth, trust and confidence that Bar and Bench share and urged the Chief Justice of India to take appropriate measures for sensitisation of judges.