Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha filed a plea in the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored SIT probe into the Murshidabad violence. He also seeks the West Bengal government’s response on law and order failure and urgent steps to prevent further unrest.
During a Supreme Court hearing, Justice JB Pardiwala questioned a lawyer about presenting a weak case, only to learn that it was his first argument in the apex court. The lawyer revealed that he had served 20 years in the Indian Air Force, including a posting in Bhuj, before joining the legal profession. Surprised, the bench asked if he was a pilot, to which he clarified that he worked as a technician and legal head in the Air Force.
Today, On 20th February, The Supreme Court raised concerns about the process of designating Senior Advocates and referred the matter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The Court emphasized that integrity and fairness are essential qualities for designation. Advocates lacking these attributes should not be granted the Senior Advocate status. The issue highlights the need for a more transparent and merit-based selection process.
The Supreme Court expunged adverse remarks made by a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court against a lawyer in an order passed in 2022. A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan criticised the High Court for making such adverse comments without first hearing the affected lawyer’s defence. “The approach of the High Court in making the observations against the appellant (lawyer) without giving him any opportunity of being heard is totally unsustainable in law,” the Court said.
Today, On 16th December, the Bar Council of India informed the Supreme Court that practicing advocates cannot work full-time as journalists, citing Rule 49 to prevent conflicts of interest. The court and petitioner acknowledged this stance, emphasizing the necessity for advocates to focus solely on their legal responsibilities to maintain professional integrity and public trust.
The Allahabad High Court annulled the anticipatory bail of an advocate for concealing his criminal record, highlighting the gravity of his actions as a practicing lawyer. The court noted that the failure to disclose his criminal past significantly influenced the bail decision. It emphasized stricter standards for anticipatory bail compared to regular bail.