May be in shock after Bar election loss: Madhya Pradesh HC on absence of arguing counsel

Advocates usually seek adjournments for myriad reasons – some are genuine and some, not so much. On Wednesday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had a rather unusual take on a lawyer’s absence.

A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Agarwal and Avanindra Kumar Singh made a tongue-in-cheek observation about the unavailability of a counsel who had contested for the post of secretary in the recently-held High Court Bar Association elections.

“It appears that under shock due to loss in election to the High Court Bar Association, arguing counsel is not available today,” the Court said on August 19.

It condoned the lawyer's absence and listed the matter for consideration on August 20.

The case related to the stopping of the pension of a retired employee. On August 5, the counsel had requested that the case be listed after August 17 since he was contesting the Bar Association election. 

According to media reports, Senior Advocate Mrigendra Singh was elected as President of the High Court Bar Association (Jabalpur Bench) election in the results declared on August 18. Advocate Asim Trivedi was elected as Secretary.

[Read Order]