Bar council of Punjab and Haryana orders inquiry into ‘Bench hunting’ allegations

Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana chairperson Rakesh Gupta has ordered an inquiry into alleged case of “bench hunting” attempts to get “favourable orders”.

In the order passed today, Gupta said, “One of the cases has been brought into my notice through social media and also confirmed by the various members of the Bar Council. So, in order to avoid such unethical activities, let the inquiry be conducted by the Committee of the Bar Council immediately on day-to-day hearing basis.”

The chairperson said Bar Council members pointed out that some Punjab and Haryana High Court advocates, in order to get favourable orders, actively seek a particular Bench or avoid appearing before another. “This is a serious misuse of the privileges granted to advocates under the Advocates Act,” he said.

He added that it was the responsibility of the Bar Council to maintain dignity, status and reputation of the legal profession. In case the Bar Council does not keep a check on such steps, he noted, it will further deteriorate the judicial system and the reputation of the legal profession.

The privilege committee headed by Raj Kumar Chauhan, member of the Bar Council, was requested to take up the matter immediately and start the proceedings. The committee is authorised to adopt all procedures including issuance of notice, recording statements, summoning records, if any as provided under the Advocates Act, if so required. The committee is also authorised to collect all the information, data, record from various agencies including the press, the High Court and other sources.

“Since, the privilege committee is already been assigned such responsibility to protect the interest, rights and privileges of the legal fraternity, this matter is entrusted to the Committee immediately with the specific request to initiate proceeding on day-to-day basis and submit report/recommendation as soon as possible,” the order further read.