State of U.P. (Crl. Cont.) vs Chairman of Bar Council of India and Others

Sri S.K. Awasthi, Advocate, appeared in Court in casual dress without his case being listed and went on speaking at the highest pitch of his voice and obstructed the functioning of the Court. The contents of his address were unwarranted and contemptuous, but we exercised utmost patience and restraints in hearing him for ten minutes. He challenged the Court by using contemptuous language and also asked to take him in custody. On being asked to mend his ways and leave the Court, he left the Court only on the intervention by some of the members of Bar present in Court to appear in their cases.

Later, the members of the Bar informed the Court that he is mentally sick, and suffers such type of intermittent spells. In the past also, he had obstructed the proceedings of other Courts. It is also informed that Mr. Awasthi is prone to be misused by the vested interests by offering him bottles of liquor.

In view of all the aforesaid, this case needs to be examined by registering it as a case of criminal contempt and in order to seek a permanent solution to the problem, it is felt necessary and expedient to issue notice to Chairman of Bar Council of India, Chairman of Bar Council of U.P., Attorney General for India and Advocate General U.P. for their response.

At this stage, learned Members of the Bar present in Court pray for dropping the proceedings, and assure that such incidents would not be allowed again.

Hence, the proceeding is dropped after registration of the criminal contempt and the matter is closed. However, the Registrar is directed to ensure regular deployment of sufficient police force outside the door of this Court during the working days.