BCI, SCBA ask CJI to stop ordering jailing of young lawyers

New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday urged CJI Surya Kant to urgently intervene after the Andhra Pradesh High Court judge decided to send a young lawyer to 24-hour judicial custody despite his repeated pleas for leniency on alleged minor offences.BCI president Manan Kumar Mishra wrote to the CJI: “Incidents of this nature have a chilling effect on the young members of the Bar. They create fear in the hearts of them. The dignity of the court is not enhanced when lawyers are forced to beg for mercy in open court and remain detained for procedural lapses.”According to a video of what happened in the HC on social media, the SCBA, led by chairman Vikas Singh, passed a resolution on Wednesday.Any behavior that creates fear, shame or intimidation among young advocates has the potential to adversely affect the independence of the Bar and the optimal functioning of the justice delivery system. ” reads the SCBA resolution.The SCBA requested the CJI to obtain relevant records from the Supreme Court and take administrative corrective measures to maintain public confidence in the judiciary and maintain friendly lawyer relations. BCI’s Mishra made similar demands.