The Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) has taken a stand against what it deems as troubling treatment of lawyers by a High Court judge, urging for greater empathy and respect towards advocates within the judicial system.
In a recent development, the BCK addressed a letter to Kerala High Court Chief Justice AJ Desai, expressing dismay over an incident where a judge reportedly denied an adjournment request made by a lawyer who was suffering from a severe back injury.
The incident, which occurred earlier this month, involved Justice A Badharudeen allegedly dismissing a plea for adjournment despite the lawyer, Advocate Jayakumar Namboodiri TV, citing a medical appointment to address his health condition.
The BCK’s chairman emphasized the need for judicial officers to exhibit compassion and understanding towards advocates, particularly in situations where health issues are involved. The council emphasized that the denial of the adjournment request, despite no objection from the opposing counsel, was highly condemnable.
“It is inhuman and unkind to deny adjournment sought by an Advocate on the ground of severe health issues,” the letter from the BCK asserted, highlighting the importance of humane treatment within the legal fraternity.
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Expressing broader concerns, the BCK’s letter also addressed alleged instances of similar mistreatment of advocates in Justice Badharudeen’s courtroom, as well as reported misconduct from other presiding officers in district judiciary settings.
The council stressed the necessity of addressing such incidents promptly to uphold the integrity and credibility of the judicial system. Furthermore, it underscored the pivotal role played by advocates as officers of the court and emphasized the imperative of treating them with dignity and respect both inside and outside the courtroom.
The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) has also echoed similar sentiments, having penned a letter to the Chief Justice last week, raising objections to the purported conduct of Justice Badharudeen towards lawyers.
These developments underline the importance of maintaining a professional and compassionate environment within the legal framework, ensuring that advocates are accorded the courtesy and consideration they deserve in the pursuit of justice.
