A junior lawyer fainted in the Bombay High Court after being sternly reprimanded by Justice A.S. Gadkari. The incident reignites concerns over courtroom conduct and the mental pressure faced by young advocates.
Mumbai: On 25 July, in a serious and emotional incident that took place in the Bombay High Court on Friday, a young lawyer fainted in court after being strongly scolded by Justice A.S. Gadkari. According to people present in the courtroom, the judge used a “stern and unrelenting tone” while addressing the lawyer.
The lawyer appeared very nervous and was unable to respond properly before suddenly collapsing in front of everyone. Medical help was immediately called.
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This shocking incident has brought back attention to an important issue that has been debated in the legal field for a long time — when does a judge’s strict behaviour cross the line and turn into bullying? It is well-known that courtrooms are high-pressure spaces where important and difficult decisions are made.
Senior lawyers have usually learned how to handle the pressure. But for young and junior lawyers, who are still learning and building confidence, it can be very difficult to face open criticism or aggressive questioning from judges.
What a judge might see as a normal or corrective comment can sometimes feel like public humiliation for those just starting their careers.
This is especially true in the Indian legal system, where there is a deep-rooted culture of showing respect and following hierarchy.
This is not the first time that a judge’s behaviour in court has led to public debate. Across India, there have been many such instances — from judges abruptly dismissing arguments to making personal remarks about how prepared or unprepared a lawyer is. But most of these incidents go unspoken.
The reason for this silence is the power imbalance between judges (the Bench) and lawyers (the Bar). Criticising a judge, even in a fair and polite way, can bring professional risks.
However, there are also positive stories that give hope and show that the judiciary can be kind and supportive.
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For example, former Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud is known for encouraging junior lawyers to speak without hesitation.
In one hearing at the Supreme Court, when he saw junior lawyers standing behind the Solicitor General with their laptops, he immediately took action and said, “an epitome of generosity.”
He arranged stools for them to sit and even checked the seating arrangement himself. This simple act won him praise and made young advocates feel seen and respected.
Similarly, former Chief Justice N.V. Ramana publicly spoke about the need to support young lawyers. He even proposed that there should be proper systems in place to help them, especially in the lower courts.
Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court is also widely respected for his approach towards junior lawyers. He gives them a chance to argue their cases and often adds humour during hearings to reduce the pressure in the courtroom.
These different types of courtroom behaviour raise a serious question for everyone in the legal community:
“Should judges be held to higher standards of emotional intelligence, especially in a profession that thrives on mentorship, decorum, and reason?”
When we talk about judicial accountability, we usually focus on the quality of judgments or how quickly cases are resolved. But just as important is the daily environment inside the courtroom.
A judge’s behaviour can have a deep and long-lasting impact, especially on young lawyers. One bad experience can shake their confidence for a long time.
And in a country where the Bar Council is trying hard to improve legal education and bring more diversity into the profession, the judges must also do their part. They must make sure the courtroom is a place that builds young talent, not breaks it.
As the young lawyer recovers from the trauma of collapsing in court, the legal community must ask itself a very important and uncomfortable question:
“Fear must never become a prerequisite for respect.”
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