The Madhya Pradesh High Court has recorded in a judicial order that a lawyer could not appear for a hearing as he was apparently under “shock” following his defeat in the High Court Bar Association election.
A bench of Justice Vivek Agrawal and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh made the observation in an order passed on August 19, a day after the results of the Madhya Pradesh Bar Association elections for the 2026–28 term were declared.
The court noted that the arguing counsel was unavailable and attributed his absence to the apparent shock caused by his loss in the election. The advocates appearing in the matter then sought listing of the case on August 20, which the court recorded in its order.
Counsel Had Earlier Sought Listing After Election
The lawyer had informed the High Court during the previous hearing that he was contesting the Bar Association election and had requested that the matter be taken up after August 17.
Polling for the election concluded on August 17, while the results were announced on August 18.
When the case came before the bench on August 19, the counsel was not available to argue the matter.
Case Concerns Permanent Withholding of Pension
The proceedings in which the unusual observation was recorded concern a retired government employee’s challenge to an administrative order permanently withholding his pension following his conviction by a sessions court on September 16, 2022.
The petitioner has contended that the state permanently stopped his pension without giving him an opportunity to be heard, thereby violating the principles of natural justice.
At an earlier hearing, the High Court stayed the operation of the order withholding the pension. The court is examining whether the state’s decision complies with the applicable pension rules and constitutional requirements of procedural fairness.
