Punjab & Haryana Bar Council Launches Inquiry Into Alleged Bench Hunting At High Court

The Punjab & Haryana Bar Council has launched an inquiry into serious allegations of bench hunting by lawyers at the Punjab and Haryana High Court

In an office order, the Chairman of the State Bar Council, Rakesh Gupta, stated that members of the Bar Council had pointed out that some advocates of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, in order to obtain favourable orders from a particular bench or to avoid appearing before that bench, are engaging in "bench hunting."

"This is a serious misuse of the privileges granted to advocates under the Advocates Act. At the same time, it is a responsibility of the Bar Council to maintain dignity, status and reputation of the legal profession. In case the Bar Council does not check any such step then it will further deteriorate the judicial system and the reputation of the legal profession and at the same time the lawyers' community will feel frustration," it added.

The Chairman has stated that, one of the cases has been brought into his notice through social media and also confirmed by various members of the Bar Council.

So, in order to avoid such unethical activities, let the inquiry be conducted by the Committee of the Bar Council immediately on day-to-day hearing basis, he added.

Stating that the Privilege Committee is already assigned responsibility to protect the interest, rights and privileges of the legal fraternity, he said that the "matter is entrusted to the said Committee immediately with the specific request to initiate proceeding on day-to-day basis and submit report/recommendation as soon as possible."

The Committee is also authorised to collect all the information, data, record from various agencies including Press High Court and other sources.