'Some Judges Treating Themselves As God': Allahabad HCBA Urges Members To Not Address Judges As 'My Lord' Or 'Your Lordship'

A statement in this regard was issued today after a meeting of the association's Executive Body, during which concerns were raised about certain judges treating themselves as God. In its statement, the HCBA emphasized that the High Court is not a temple of justice but a court of justice and that judges are public servants.

#JustIN | #AllahabadHighCourt Bar Association has requested its members not to address judges as 'My Lord' or 'Your Lordship' and rather use 'Sir', 'Your Honour' or 'माननीय'.

"...some of the hon'ble judges are treating themselves as God..." says HCBA in an official statement. pic.twitter.com/mBWPcqdfnx

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 11, 2024

The statement of the HCBA, made public following the meeting, states thus:

“The High Court Bar Association in its due responsibility wants to save judiciary from insider attack being done by some of hon'ble judges treating themselves as God. It is resolved that High Court is not a temple of justice rather is a court of justice and the judges are also the public servants for which they are being paid from the public exchequer and are appointed to serve the public at large. We refuse to recognize them as God and we request the advocates of all Bar Associations not to address to the Hon'ble judges as "My Lord or Your Lordship" rather they are permitted to use any respective pronounce like "Sir, Your Honour or माननीय…”

In this regard, the HCBA also referred to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's latest statement, in which he said that the judges' role is to serve the public interest, not to be revered as deities.

The HCBA's statement follows its decision to abstain from work for three days (10, 11, and 12 July). The HCBA has expressed its dissatisfaction with the High Court Administration's handling of several pressing issues affecting advocates, particularly the conduct of certain judges towards bar members.

The meeting today also resolved that “if the Hon'ble Judges continue to feel themselves as God, then the Bar is free to take further action as and when required.”

Importantly, it was also resolved that members who disregarded the Bar Association's decision to abstain from judicial work would have their membership terminated unless they provided a satisfactory explanation in response to the notice issued to them.

“…they will be restrained to take all benefits extended by the High Court Bar Association for their members such as Medical Claim, Death Claim and priority in Chamber Allotment etc. and they will be blacklisted forever from the membership of the High Court Bar Association and will never be permitted to be the member of the High Court Bar Association,” the statement reads further.

As per the statement issued by the HCBA, many office bearers of different Bar Associations from the country contacted the President and Secretary of the High Court Bar Association and expressed their concern for the decision while stating that they are also facing more or less the same situation in their respective courts.

Therefore, the HCBA also resolved that the different Bar Associations of the State and country will be contacted through the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh and the Bar Council of India.

Today's meeting was presided over by Anil Tiwari, Senior Advocate and president of the Bar Association, and conducted by Shri Vikrant Pandey, secretary.