Allahabad HC Orders Inquiry Against 'Unruly' Advocates Who Raised Slogans To Assault Police Officers Summoned By Court

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday took serious note of the conduct of certain 'unruly' advocates who raised slogans, outside the courtroom, to assault police officers, including lady officers, who were summoned by the Court in connection with a criminal writ petition.

The bench of Justice Suneet Kumar and Justice Syed Waiz Mian directed the Registrar General to conduct a discreet inquiry and submit a report in this regard identifying the unruly advocates. The case would be registered as a separate case, the Court further ordered.

Essentially, the Court was dealing with the criminal writ plea filed by one Kamla Singh seeking the transfer of a case on the ground of an unfair investigation being conducted by the police. On Thursday, the police officers concerned (including the Commissioner of Police) were present before the bench pursuant to the court's December 20th order.

In their presence, noting that the investigation has already been transferred to the Crime Branch, the Court passed a brief order asking the investigating Officer of the Crime Branch to conduct the investigation fairly without any pressure or coercion from either of the sides and conclude the investigation expeditiously.

However, after passing of the order, the petitioner, a practicing advocate, provoked the members of the Bar to assault the officers who were summoned by the Court. The High Court's order notes that a large crowd of advocates assembled in the Court and a larger number outside the Court on the verandah and staircase, and raised slogans to assault the officers.

In fact, in view of the worsening situation, the court had to rise in order to ensure the security of the officers, including the lady officer, and they were escorted from the entry door of the Judges through the judges' corridor via the judges' lift and one of the officer had to accompany the Court (Judges) to avoid untoward incident.

The Court was further informed that the officers were chased by the advocates toward Gate No.1 to assault them. In view of this, observing that the conduct of the members of the Bar creating a ruckus and continuous murmuring tantamounts to interference with the judicial proceedings, the Court directed an inquiry into the matter by Registrar General so as to identify unruly advocates.

"Having regard to the conduct of the advocates, it appears that the drama was stage-managed to malign the Court proceedings," the Court added.

In the circumstances, the Court was not inclined to monitor the investigation, and observing that the Petitioner has a remedy before the Magistrate, the Court dismissed the writ petition having rendered infructuous.

Case title - Kamla Singh vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others

Case Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (AB) 536

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