Judge-Advocates Spat : KHCAA Suspends Senior Advocate George Poonthottam Over Alleged Settlement Talk Without Association Nod

The General Body of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association decided to suspend Senior Advocate George Poonthottam from the KHCAA for meeting the Chief Justice without the consent of the Association to resolve the issue relating to Justice A Badharudeen.

Last Friday, the KHCAA had boycotted Justice Badharudeen's Court following a complaint that the Judge had insulted Advocate Sarita Thomas, wife of late Advocate Alex Scaria, when she sought time to file vakalathnama in an appeal.

Senior Advocate George Poonthottam was in the forefront of moving a resolution against Justice Badharudeen. Though the Judge expressed willingness to apologise in chamber, the KHCAA took a stand that he should apologise in the open court.

Meanwhile, the lady lawyer wrote to the Association requesting to drop further action in relation to the issue, saying that Justice Badharudeen expressed regret to her in a private meeting held in the presence of the Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar, Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and George Poonthottam.  

KHCAA President Yeshwant Shenoy, however, took objection to the settlement of the issue without the involvement of the Association. For settling the issue unilaterally when the KHCAA was seized of it, the Association has now decided to suspend George Poonthottam pending disciplinary action.

The Association has also decided to request the Chief Justice of India to transfer Justice Badharudeen. Earlier also, the KHCAA had complained against the conduct of the Judge towards lawyers.