The Allahabad High Court has strongly censured the conduct of an advocate who disrupted courtroom proceedings after his client’s bail application was rejected. Justice Krishan Pahal, while passing the order on July 21, took serious note of the incident and underscored the ethical responsibility of advocates to uphold courtroom decorum.
The case pertained to a bail petition filed by one Sachin Gupta, an accused in a rape case. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail plea and directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings.
However, following the pronouncement of the order, the advocate representing the applicant allegedly continued to argue and caused a disturbance in the courtroom. The judge observed that despite the bail rejection being announced in open court, the counsel persisted in contesting the decision, thereby obstructing the orderly functioning of the court.
Justice Pahal stated, “No one is permitted to interfere in the proceedings of the court after passing of the order,” and termed the conduct of the advocate as unacceptable.
Emphasizing the dual role of advocates in a courtroom—diligent representation of clients and maintenance of courtroom decorum—the court noted that lawyers are expected to assist the judiciary, not hinder its proceedings. “The dignity of the judicial process must be upheld through respectful and orderly conduct,” the judge remarked in his order.
