Patna High Court's Co-ordination Committee of three Advocate Associations flag rift between Bar and Bench, point out uncharitable, uncouth, abusive, insulting behaviour of judges

The Co-ordination Committee of the three Associations of the Advocates of the Patna High Court has issued the following statement:

The Co-ordination Committee met in extraordinary situation which due to notice dated 7th May 2026 issued under the signature of Registrar General-In-Charge. The Members of Co-ordination Committee unanimously and unequivocally resent and express their anguish against such notice. 1- That Bar of Patna High Court of late has felt that there is a growing rift between the Bar and Bench. The behavior of judges with lawyers in court proceedings, to say the least, are uncharitable, uncouth often abusive insulting and hitting below the belt. The proceedings in many courts are such that it appears that the judges are a repository of all knowledge as to law and otherwise. What to talk of young members even senior members are often afraid to appear before certain judges. 2- The members of Bar see the aforesaid notification as a reflection of their feelings towards the Bar. The co-ordination committee unanimously resolved that the members of the Bar are requested to abstain from their the professional duties on 11.5.2026 form 10.30 am onwards. The signatories to the statement include chairman, co-ordination committee, Advocates Association, Bar Association and Lawyer's Association. 

 

Notably, Registrar General-in-Charge had issued a notice dated May 7, 2026 which reads: "This is for information to all concerned that all earlier orders with regard to pick up and drop facility to the vehicles of the Learned Advocates/Doctors and Officials of State Dispensary/Officers & Staff of the Court and such beneficiaries, in the premises of the Court beyond the barrier is hereby recalled with immediate effect. They shall use the facility of Battery Operated Carts (available at Gate Nos. 2 & 3 of the Court) for their movement up to their designated places, after parking their vehicles at the designated parking places near Gate Nos. 2 & 3 of the Court. Only official vehicles of the Court and vehicle(s) of the Learned Advocate General may be moved beyond the barrier and parked within the premises of the Court."

In the coordination committee meeting, many lawyers also expressed displeasure over the order issued by the High Court on May 7, which banned taking vehicles inside the campus due to barricading.

Advocates asked as to how will the old and infirm lawyers get down from their vehicle near the High Court gate and go to the lift. A battery operated vehicle has been arranged by the High Court, but elderly people and women lawyers cannot board that vehicle because it is high from the ground. According to the notice, except the High Court vehicle and the Advocate General's vehicle, other vehicles are not allowed inside, due to which there is a lot of anger among the lawyers. It seems although all are equal as per the Constitution of India, some are more equal than others. 

Responding to the notice issued by the three advocate associations, Advocate Dr. Gopal Krishna pointed out that the provisions of Section 16 of The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are relevant in this regard. It reads:"16. Contempt by judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially.—(1) Subject to the provisions of any law for the time being in force, a judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially shall also be liable for contempt of his own court or of any other court in the same manner as any other individual is liable and the provisions of this Act shall, so far as may be, apply accordingly.(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to any observations or remarks made by a judge, magistrate or other person acting judicially, regarding a subordinate court in an appeal or revision pending before such judge, magistrate or other person against the order or judgment of the subordinate court."