THE ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT AT LUCKNOW INITIATED CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A LAWYER FOR USING ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AGAINST THE JUDGES

A divisional bench of the Allahabad High Court at Lucknow initiated contempt proceedings against a lawyer named Ashok Pandey for using abusive language against the judges and called them goondas. The bench of Justice Ritu Raj and Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh held that his conduct amounted to ex facie contempt of court, and Pandey had a history of such abusive behaviour. The bench also directed the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh to take disciplinary proceedings against Pandey.

The incident took place on 18th August 2021 when Pandey stepped into the courtroom in civil dress. On being questioned why he was not wearing lawyer's attire, he said that he was appearing in person in a PIL challenging the Bar Council Rules prescribing the lawyer's uniform. The bench told him to at least appear in a decent dress by buttoning his shirt. The bench also noted that Pandey indulged in a similar act two days ago while hearing the case relating to Awadh Bar Association elections in progress.

"The atmosphere of the court got ruckus entirely due to Pandey's behaviour in the morning. He indulged in shameful behaviour amounting to gross misconduct".

In view of the above-stated facts, the bench directed the police to take Pandey into custody till 3 pm so that he could come to the Court and apologise to the court for his outrageous behaviour.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal