In a stern reproach delivered on Monday, the Supreme Court criticized an advocate for failing to adequately communicate case details to his client, highlighting a significant lapse in professional responsibility. The court, comprised of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Manmohan, learned that despite receiving fees, the advocate did not inform his client about the status of a case filed before the Delhi High Court.
This incident came to light during the hearing of Meera Devi v. State (Govt of NCT of Delhi), where the lack of communication by the advocate was brought to the bench’s attention. Expressing their dismay, the Justices remarked, “Very sorry state of affairs. After a lawyer is designated as Senior Advocate, litigants are not told whether a plea has been filed even after money has been taken.”
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on December 19, along with other related issues concerning the conduct of Advocates-On-Record (AoRs). The court is expected to discuss the formulation of guidelines aimed at preventing AoRs from signing off on pleadings that might contain false statements.
The origins of these concerns trace back to a separate case involving a convict seeking remission in a kidnapping case. It was revealed that the appeal filed through AoR Jaydip Patil omitted critical information about the Supreme Court previously restoring a 30-year sentence without remission for the appellant. This oversight led the court to observe a troubling trend of fact suppression in remission appeals.
Patil later admitted that he had signed the appeal on the insistence of the Senior Advocate, unaware of the fact suppression involved. Responding to these developments, the court has demanded an explanation from the Senior Advocate, noting that he appeared to have made false statements in at least 15 different cases.
