Lady judge accuses lawyer of insulting, hurling abuse at her; Allahabad High Court restrains him from practice (for now)

The Allahabad High Court on Monday passed an interim order restraining a lawyer from practicing before courts in Uttar Pradesh courts for the time being, after he was accused of insulting, hurling abuses and misbehaving with a lady judicial officer posted in Bulandshahr district..A bench of Justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Shiv Shanker Prasad passed the order in a suo moto criminal contempt case initiated against advocate Bharat Singh, on the reference made to Court by the lady judge. "In the facts of the present case, we, therefore, invoke our jurisdiction under Chapter XXIV Rule 11 (2) of the Allahabad High Court Rules and prohibit the contemnor/opposite party from practicing law in any court within the State of Uttar Pradesh till the next date of listing," the Court ordered.The Court also cautioned the lawyer to remain careful in future and not act in an undesirable manner as his conduct would be under the strict watch of the High Court.The bench further directed District Judge, Bulandhshar to ensure that necessary steps are taken for safety and security of the lady Judicial Officer and to ensure that court proceedings are not hampered or interfered with in any manner by the contemnor or anyone else supporting him..The Court also directed the contemnor advocate to appear in-person on January 12.The incident came into light when the special counsel appearing for the High Court, placed before the bench a communication sent by the lady judicial officer informing about the conduct of the contemnor..In her communication, the lady judge said that on December 20, 2022, after a contemptuous act of the contemnor, she had to rise from her dais and had to take shelter in her chamber.She further informed that on the very next day, the contemnor publicly insulted, misbehaved and threatened her. The advocate also allegedly made statements in open court daring anyone to challenge him..Taking into consideration the facts, the Court prohibited the advocate from practicing law in any court within the State of Uttar Pradesh till the next date of listing.The bench was also appraised that though the advocate was issued a notice by the Court in the matter on August 1, he failed to file a reply in the matter by January 2, 2023. The Court, therefore, came down upon him for adopting delay tactics. "Dilatory tactics apparently are being adopted by the contemnor while seeking adjournment before this Court. The contemnor allegedly has acted in a most irresponsible manner and his conduct leaves much to be desired. We cannot allow the rule of law to be thrown to winds at the hands of an unscrupulous contemnor," the order said. Acts of intentional disrespect to a lady judicial officer will have to be viewed seriously and dealt with strictly or else the judicial system would collapse, the bench added.Special counsel Sudhir Mehrotra appeared for lady judge while advocate Ramesh Kumar Pandey represented contemnor..[Read Order]