The Punjab & Haryana Bar Council initiated an inquiry into allegations of 'bench hunting' by advocates practicing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, terming such conduct as a grave misuse of professional privileges. The move comes in light of concerns that some lawyers are allegedly manipulating court listings to secure favorable benches or avoid specific judges.
The Chairman of the State Bar Council, Rakesh Gupta, issued an official statement confirming that multiple Bar Council members had raised alarm over advocates allegedly engaging in “bench hunting”, a practice where lawyers maneuver to have their cases listed before preferred benches, or deliberately seek to bypass others.
The Bar Council noted that one such instance had been brought to its attention via social media and was subsequently verified by several council members. In response, the Chairman emphasized the urgency and seriousness of the issue, directing immediate action to protect the integrity of the profession.
Calling the practice a "serious misuse of the privileges granted to advocates under the Advocates Act," the Council stated, “It is the duty of the Bar Council to uphold the dignity, status, and reputation of the legal profession. Ignoring such unethical steps would only lead to further erosion of judicial credibility and create widespread discontent among the legal fraternity".
To curb the growing concerns around judicial manipulation, the Chairman has entrusted the matter to the Bar Council’s Privilege Committee, which is already tasked with safeguarding the rights and responsibilities of advocates. The Committee has been instructed to conduct an expedited, day-to-day hearing-based inquiry, and submit a detailed report with recommendations at the earliest.
The Committee has also been given full authority to gather evidence and obtain information from multiple sources, including media reports, High Court records, and other relevant agencies.
This proactive step by the Bar Council signals a firm stance against unethical courtroom practices. If substantiated, the allegations could lead to disciplinary actions and policy reforms aimed at restoring trust in judicial proceedings and ensuring transparency in court listings.
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