MP High Court issues show cause notice to Senior Advocate who raised voice before Chief Justice

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a show cause notice to NS Ruprah, asking him to explain why his designation as Senior Advocate should not be revoked..The notice issued by Principal Registrar (Secretary of the Permanent Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates) Sandeep Sharma asked Ruprah to file his reply 'positively' on or before May 8. "...you are hereby directed to file your reply against this show cause notice as to why your designation as a Senior Advocate be not recalled/revoked in accordance of Rule 22 of High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2018. It is further directed to you that the reply of this show cause notice be positively submitted on or before 08/05/2025.".A recent heated exchange took place between Ruprah and Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, during which the Chief Justice remarked that Ruprah was unworthy of the designation of Senior Advocate.Chief Justice Kait had observed that Ruprah created a ruckus in the courtroom and raised his voice during a hearing, which is unbecoming of a Senior Advocate. The Court had directed that his name be placed before the Full Court for reconsideration of his designation as a Senior Advocate. It had ordered,"When this Court asked learned Senior Counsel Mr Ruprah whether Respondent No. 5 is present, he created a ruckus in the courtroom and raised his voice, which has been recorded in the live stream of this Court. This Court had no option but to hear Mr Ruprah, and instead of answering the query of this Court, he raised his voice like anything. He is a Senior Advocate designated by this Court. Therefore, we are of the view that he does not deserve to be a Senior Advocate. Therefore, we hereby direct the Registrar General of this Court to put his name before the Full Court to see whether he needs to be continued as a Senior Advocate or not."Until further orders, the Court had directed Ruprah to not appear before the Chief Justice's bench..In light of this incident, the administrative side of the High Court has now sought an explanation from Ruprah..The Court was hearing a matter related to possession of illicit liquor and was shocked to note that despite its earlier directions, respondent number 5 - represented by Ruprah - did not appear in court.The bench had noted that Ruprah submitted a joint application under the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) seeking to record a compromise between the parties. When the Court had questioned him about the application, he raised his voice, protesting that the Chief Justice was not willing to listen to his submissions.After the Court had passed the direction, Ruprah attempted to continue making submissions in the case."When my lord is not allowing me to make submissions, I have to sometimes...a very, very stringent punishment has been given to me. As an advocate..."The Court had replied,"You are not behaving as an advocate. You are behaving as a dictator and you want to dictate terms to the Court.".Ruprah had also requested that the order to reconsider his senior designation be revoked, the Court said,"We have to reconsider...please do not appear before this Court. If you are aggrieved, you can challenge it wherever you want...Tumne toh sir pe chadha liya hai asman pura. Apne for granted le liya hai court ko agar senior bana diya hai toh? (You have completely overstepped your bounds. Just because you have been designated a Senior Advocate, you think you can take the Court for granted?)"Ruprah had said,"Why should counsel pay such a price?""Because counsel created ruckus in this court…you have not behaved like a officer of the court," CJ Kait had replied.The Court ultimately stated that Ruprah's designation matter, along with a recording of the day's proceedings, would be placed before the Full Court for consideration..[Read Notice].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.