Delhi High Court judge recuses after lawyer "cries" for "beloved justice system"

The Delhi High Court recently took strong exception after a lawyer repeatedly remarked, “I cry my beloved justice system" and walked out of the courtroom during the hearing of his case [Arjun Dev Bhatia v. State NCT of Delhi & Ors]. 

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said that advocate's actions were "reckless, reprehensible and amount to misconduct". 

She recused after observing that the lawyer's conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer, adding that he may now try to influence his client and instigate frivolous allegations against the judge and the judicial system. 

“The actions of Mr ***** are clearly reckless, reprehensible and amount to misconduct. In these circumstances, to protect the dignity of this Court and the judicial system, this Court deems it appropriate to transfer this matter to another Bench,” the Court said. 

The case concerns a petition filed by 91-year-old Arjun Dev Bhatia challenging a Rohini court order permitting his daughter-in-law to enter his house in Pitampura as alternate accommodation after she faced eviction from a rented flat in the same locality. The lawyer concerns was appearing for the daughter-in-law. 

Bhatia claimed to be the absolute owner of the house and told the High Court that his son and daughter-in-law had stopped living with him in February 2010. The couple had subsequently resided in a rented flat since April 2013. However, an eviction decree was passed against them after Bhatia's son allegedly stopped paying the monthly rent of ₹27,500. 

During the hearing, the Court asked Bhatia whether he was willing to pay the monthly rent to enable his daughter-in-law to continue living in the rented accommodation. He agreed to pay the rent and offered an advance equivalent to six months' rent. 

However, the daughter-in-law's counsel informed the Court that his client had already vacated the flat and handed over its keys to the landlord. This submission was disputed by the lawyer representing Bhatia's son. The lawyer subsequently stated that his client did not wish to move back to rented accommodation. 

The Court directed Bhatia to deposit six months' rent and ordered his son to deposit any outstanding rental dues. It also summoned the landlord to verify whether possession of the rented flat had been handed over. 

When the lawyer repeatedly remarked, "I cry my beloved justice system", and began walking out of the courtroom, the Court called him back. Although he apologised, Justice Arora rejected the apology, observing that it was neither heartfelt nor genuine. 

Eventually, the Court directed that the matter be transferred to another bench. However, it said that its interim directions to Bhatia, the landlord and the government will stand. 

Senior Advocate Amit Chadha, with advocates Mustafa Alam, Harjas, Nitin Gautam, Amit Garg, Yashima Sharma, Shahzad and Liza Paras appeared for the petitioner father-in-law. 

[Read Order]