The Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have jointly urged Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to intervene urgently after an Andhra Pradesh High Court judge ordered a young lawyer to be sent to 24-hour judicial custody, disregarding his repeated pleas for leniency over an alleged minor infraction.
BCI President's Letter to CJI
BCI President Manan Kumar Mishra wrote to the CJI, stating: "Incidents of this nature have a chilling effect upon young members of the Bar. They create fear in their 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."
SCBA Resolution
Based on a video of the incident circulating on social media, the SCBA, led by its President Vikas Singh, passed a resolution on Wednesday. The resolution read: "Any action that causes fear, humiliation or intimidation amongst young advocates has the potential to adversely impact the independence of the Bar and the optimal operation of justice delivery system."
Demand for Corrective Measures
The SCBA requested the CJI to call for relevant records from the High Court and take corrective measures on the administrative side to preserve public confidence in the judiciary and maintain cordial Bar-Bench relations. BCI's Mishra also made a similar request.
