The Supreme Court has issued a directive for the president and secretary of the Gautam Budh Nagar district court bar association to appear before it, escalating its response to the alleged manhandling of senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia. The incident, which occurred amidst a lawyers’ strike, has drawn sharp condemnation and prompted the top court’s intervention.
Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran, in a hearing on February 3, 2025, expressed serious concerns over the non-compliance of the bar association officials with previous orders dated March 21, 2024, which also required their appearance. The justices emphasized that further failure to appear would lead the court to consider significant actions against the bar association.
The Supreme Court has also requested a response from the Uttar Pradesh government following a distressing report from the Gautam Budh Nagar district judge, Amit Saxena. The report highlighted that CCTV cameras, crucial for capturing evidence on the court premises, were inoperative due to maintenance funding issues, complicating efforts to secure evidence of the incident.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh brought to light the aggressive behavior exhibited towards Bhatia, describing how the advocate’s collar band was forcibly snatched. Additionally, a female lawyer reported a separate instance of manhandling, further illustrating a pattern of concerning behavior within the court’s premises.
The top court, taking these allegations seriously, has initiated a suo motu writ petition to thoroughly investigate the matter. It ordered the district judge to safeguard all CCTV footage and prepare a comprehensive report on the incidents.
Moreover, the Supreme Court criticized the strike by bar members, highlighting its adverse impact on litigants, who are crucial stakeholders in the judicial process. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) has also voiced its disapproval of the conduct exhibited towards Bhatia and other members, indicating a broader call for accountability and respect within the legal community.
