Published May 07, 2026 | 11:08 AM ⚊ Updated May 07, 2026 | 11:22 AM
The Andhra Pradesh High Court. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: The Supreme Court Bar Association expressed “deep concern and shock” over the incident before the Andhra Pradesh High Court in which a young advocate was directed to be taken into judicial custody for 24 hours. SCBA said the exercise of judicial powers must reflect restraint, proportionality, fairness, and compassion.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday, 6 May, expressed “deep concern and shock” over the incident before the Andhra Pradesh High Court in which a young advocate was directed to be taken into judicial custody for 24 hours during court proceedings before Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao.
In a resolution passed by the SCBA Executive Committee, the association referred to video proceedings circulating in the public domain and noted that the young lawyer had “repeatedly expressed regret and sought pardon before the Court”.
The SCBA said the incident had caused “serious concern” among members of the Bar across the country and had “deeply disappointed young members of the legal profession”.
The incident was during the hearing of a petition that challenged a Look Out Circular against a litigant, and the impounding of his passport. The court had indicated it was inclined to defer the proceedings to a later date.
Disagreement arose during arguments when the advocate continued to press his point despite the judge referring to an existing judgment, reported The Print. Following the arguments, as seen in the video, the judge ordered the custody of the lawyer despite his apologies.
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The SCBA said, according to the video proceedings circulating in the public domain, the young advocate repeatedly expressed regret and sought pardon before the court.
“The incident, as it appears, has caused serious concern amongst members of the Bar across the country and has deeply disappointed young members of the legal profession. The SCBA firmly believes that the relationship between the Bench and the Bar is founded upon mutual respect, dignity, patience, and institutional balance,” it said in a statement.
Noting that advocates are officers of the court and play an essential role in the administration of justice and that the authority and majesty of courts must always be respected and maintained, SCBA said the exercise of judicial powers must equally reflect restraint, proportionality, fairness, and compassion.
“The rule of law, being the foundation of our Constitutional System, requires the maintenance of decorum and discipline in court proceedings and also fairness in the exercise of judicial authority. Judicial strength is reflected through patience and balanced conduct, particularly while dealing with young lawyers who are still learning and evolving in the profession,” it said.
The SCBA said that it is of the view that any action that causes fear, humiliation, or intimidation amongst young advocates has the potential to adversely affect the independence of the Bar and the optimal operation of the justice delivery system.
SCBA urged the Chief Justice of India to take appropriate institutional cognisance of the matter, call for the relevant records and proceedings, and consider such corrective and administrative measures as may be deemed appropriate in the interest of preserving public confidence in the judiciary and maintaining cordial Bar-Bench relations.
