SC Takes Note of Sr Advocate Gaurav Bhatia’s Manhandling, Issues Notices to Bar Association Officials

The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of the reported manhandling of senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia at the Gautam Budh Nagar district court and issued notice to the president and secretary of the Janpad Diwani Evam Faujdari Bar association.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh brought the matter to the attention of a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, alongside Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, who directed the registration of a suo motu petition regarding the incident that occurred on Wednesday at the district court where lawyers were on strike.

Singh informed the apex court that lawyers allegedly behaved improperly and forcibly removed Bhatia’s collar band. A female lawyer also appeared before the bench and asserted that she too was subjected to mistreatment in a different court while handling a case.

“There is no reason why this Court should not accept what is placed on the record. Ordinarily, we would have insisted on a petition. But the attack on two members of the SCBA is a serious. We accordingly direct the Registrar to register a suo motu writ petition,” the bench stated.
The apex court directed the District Judge, Gautam Budh Nagar, to ensure the safekeeping of the CCTV footage of the incident until further orders and also mandated the submission of a report on the incident.

“Let the president and secretary of the bar association be personally present,” the bench stated.
The apex court has directed the District Judge, Gautam Budh Nagar, to ensure the safe custody of the CCTV footage of the incident pending further orders. Additionally, a report on the incident has been ordered. The bench has directed the president and secretary of the bar association to be personally present.

The Top Court emphasized that a strike by members of the bar negatively impacts the litigants, who are crucial stakeholders in the justice system. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also denounced the misconduct of a lawyer at the Gautam Budh Nagar district court against Bhatia. “The SCBA acknowledges this serious misconduct by a lawyer present in the courtroom and strongly condemns such unprofessional and illegal behavior by the concerned advocate as it tarnishes the reputation of the entire legal fraternity.”

“The SCBA urges the Executive Committee of Janpad Dewani and Faujdari Bar Association, Gautam Budh Nagar, to identify the said lawyer, issue a notice to him, and take strict action against the concerned lawyer,” stated the SCBA.