Oudh Bar Association seeks transfer of High Court judge over mistreatment of advocates

Oudh Bar Association of the Allahabad High Court has on Saturday sought the transfer of the State's High Court judge Justice Sangeeta Chandra over her alleged mistreatment of the Association's advocate members in the courtroom.

In a letter to the Chief Justice (CJ) Arun Bhansali, the Association’s General Secretary Advocate Manoj Kumar Dwivedi has requested for the transfer of Justice Chandra addressing multiple complaints received against her, regarding her verbal inhumane treatment of Advocate members of the Association.

Pertinently, the Association in its letter has addressed the recent altercation that took place between Justice Chandra and Bar association member Senior Advocate SC (Satish Chandra) Mishra during a hearing on Friday.

The letter states that during the Friday hearing, Justice Chandra issued an order initiating criminal contempt of court proceedings against SC Mishra.

“During the hearing, Hon'ble Justice Sangeeta Chandra went against the dignity of her office and issued an order initiating criminal contempt of court proceedings against Senior Advocate SC Mishra”, the letter dated September 28 said.

It is further stated in the letter that during the hearing, even Senior Advocate JN Mathur, who was appearing on behalf of the respondents, requested Justice Chandra to withdraw from initiating contempt of court proceedings issued against Mishra. But, Justice Chandra refused Senior Advocate Mathur’s request.

The aforesaid dispute arose on a Friday hearing before a Bench consisting of Justice Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh.

During the hearing, the Court took exception to Mishra's misconduct for having shouted at the Bench after it had declined to pass an interim order in his favor on his insistence.

The Bench had proceeded to refer the matter to the High Court's Chief Justice for drawing contempt of court proceedings against Mishra.

[Read Letter]