The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) rejected Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar’s offer to discuss a Senior Advocate’s suspension, urging judges not to interfere in bar affairs. KHCAA also plans to write to the Chief Justice about adverse orders passed during their protest against court fee hikes.
The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) officially declined an invitation from Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar to discuss the recent suspension of Senior Advocate George Poonthottam and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against him.
In a letter addressed to Justice Nambiar on April 10, 2025, the KHCAA articulated its strong disapproval of the judge’s interference in the affairs of the bar association.
The letter stated,
“We would like to set the record straight and clearly communicate that the interference of judges in the affairs of the KHCAA is not appreciated and judges are requested not to meddle with the affairs of the Association,”
The KHCAA’s communication to the judge also indicated that it plans to submit a complaint to Chief Justice Nitin M. Jamdar regarding adverse orders issued by the division bench of Justices Nambiar and Easwaran S. during a period when lawyers were abstaining from work in protest against recent increases in court fees.
KHCAA remarked,
“Judges are requested not to meddle with the affairs of the Association.”
In an order issued on April 9, Justice Nambiar’s bench expressed strong objections to the lawyers’ strike, especially since a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the controversial court fee hike was already pending before the Chief Justice’s Bench.
The bench specifically criticized the tone of a letter sent by KHCAA President Yeshwanth Shenoy, which informed the Chief Justice about the boycott. It found that the letter contained “unwanted advice and subtle threats, suggesting a lack of respect and decorum.”
KHCAA responded to these observations in their letter,
“We are not sure what taste you will find this letter in, but whenever the KHCAA writes a letter, it will be on facts and on judicial decisions and has to be taken in its literal meaning with no innuendos… We are still grappling to find out what the ‘veiled threats’ are, but as the adage does, the beauty always lies in the hands of the beholder and we are yet to see what you have seen in the letter as ‘veiled threats.’”
KHCAA stated,
“We are still still grappling to find out what the ‘veiled threats’ are…”
The controversy surrounding Senior Advocate Poonthottam arose from a dispute with Justice A. Badharudeen, following an unpleasant interaction involving the wife of a recently deceased lawyer. After a resolution signed by Poonthottam, the KHCAA convened an extraordinary general body meeting, demanding an open court apology from Justice Badharudeen.
The judge refused to comply, leading to a temporary boycott of his court by lawyers.
Subsequently, Chief Justice Jamdar met with Poonthottam and the lawyer’s wife, who is also an attorney. Despite the situation appearing to be resolved, KHCAA President Shenoy was absent from the meeting. Objecting to Poonthottam’s actions in taking over an issue that the KHCAA was addressing, the association suspended him from its membership and initiated disciplinary proceedings.
In a further twist, KHCAA also reached out to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, requesting Justice Badharudeen’s transfer to another High Court.
However, the association has since seemingly distanced itself from the complaints it had previously sent to the CJI regarding Justice Badharudeen’s conduct, asserting,
“Justice Badharudeen is one of the best we have in this Court… Personally, we place a higher value on integrity than courteous conduct and we will always carry that pain of having to write to the Chief Justice of India as a part of our duty as office bearers of the Association.”
KHCAA further alleged that Poonthottam had made remarks regarding Justice Badharudeen’s religious beliefs, adding another layer to the ongoing dispute.
In light of Justice Nambiar’s adverse remarks regarding the KHCAA’s protest against court fee hikes, the association expressed hope that the judge would take its latest communication literally, without interpreting it as containing any hidden meanings.
KHCAA also conveyed its suspicion that the bench led by Justice Nambiar issued adverse orders to pressure the association into reaching a settlement with Poonthottam.
Finally, the KHCAA requested that Justice Nambiar refrain from contacting the association through any advocate, firmly stating that it would not alter its procedures for dealing with “persons of interest” to any judge.
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