The Supreme Court set aside the Rs.1 lakh fine imposed by the Allahabad High Court on advocate Mehmood Pracha. The High Court penalized Pracha, accusing him of forum shopping and wearing a lawyer’s robe and band while arguing as a petitioner in-person. The Supreme Court found no justification for the costs imposed and reversed the order.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Set-aside the Rs.1 lakh costs imposed by the Allahabad High Court on advocate Mehmood Pracha, citing “forum shopping” and the fact that he appeared in court wearing a lawyer’s robe and band while representing himself as a petitioner.
A Bench composed of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan also removed personal remarks made by the High Court regarding Pracha.
Pracha approached the Allahabad High Court to verify videos of the electoral process for the Rampur Lok Sabha seat, where he contested as an independent candidate during the 2024 general elections. The Election Commission of India had provided these videos based on his earlier request to the Delhi High Court.
The Allahabad High Court criticized Pracha for what it described as “forum shopping” and his choice of attire, subsequently imposing costs while dismissing his plea. The court noted that his actions had wasted “precious time” of the court.
In response, Pracha appealed to the Supreme Court, which today annulled the High Court’s directives.
Forum shopping refers to the practice where a litigant deliberately chooses or shifts legal proceedings to a particular court or jurisdiction that they believe will be more favourable to their case.
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It is often viewed as unethical or an abuse of the judicial process, as it undermines the principle of impartiality and fairness in the legal system. Courts discourage forum shopping because it can lead to inconsistent judgments, misuse of judicial resources, and erosion of trust in the legal system.
Advocate Mehmood Pracha is a well-known Indian lawyer recognized for his work in high-profile and sensitive legal matters, especially those related to minority rights and communal violence. He has represented various victims and accused individuals in cases stemming from the 2020 Delhi riots, establishing himself as a key figure in the legal discussions surrounding these incidents.
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