LI Network
A Suo-moto contempt of court proceedings was initiated by the High Court of Karnataka on 11th February 2021 against several State bar associations for abstaining from court work. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice SS Magadum directed the Registry to take contempt proceedings in this case.
“It must be noted here that in the wake of COVID-19, all courts were adversely affected which brought about suffering to the litigants as well as to the members of the Bar.” the Bench noted.
The bar associations of Mandya, Maddur, Srirangapatna, Pandavapura, Malavalli, KR Pet and Davangere had reportedly restrained to be present during the court proceedings on various dates between January and February 2021. Reports notifying the same were submitted by the district courts to the Karnataka High Court.
Thereafter, the High Court took suo-motu cognizance of this matter and made an appeal on 3rd February 2021.
The appeal presented before the Court stated that everyone is aware that due to current COVID-19 situation, the courts could not function properly for months which caused hardships to the litigants and even to the members of the Bar. In these times the High Court of Karnataka has taken all the possible steps to restore the situation to normal functioning of courts. The court also added that and in such times it is distressing to see that some members of Bar are abstaining from attending Courts sue to various reasons. And such acts are causing interference with administration of Justice and also cause inconvenience and prejudice parties of litigation. It lastly said that in these difficult time District and Trial courts have functioning, but due to the acts of certain Bar members the other members may be adversely affected.
However, CJ Abhay Oka was displeased with the continuation of such resolutions even after the appeal. Thus, it decided to go for contempt proceedings against these bar associations.
