A fresh standoff has emerged at Delhi’s Karkardooma Courts after the Shahdara Bar Association called upon its members to refrain from appearing before two judicial officers, alleging repeated instances of disrespectful treatment towards advocates.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the association asked lawyers to avoid appearing—either physically or through video conferencing—before the courts of Principal Judge of the Family Court S.S. Rathi and Judicial Magistrate First Class Ritika Kansal.
According to the Bar body’s executive committee, the decision followed a series of complaints accusing the two judges of behaviour that lawyers described as discourteous, humiliating and unbecoming of judicial office.
The resolution urged advocates to stay away from the two courts in order to protect the dignity of the legal profession.
The association further claimed that concerns regarding the conduct of the judges had previously been brought to the notice of the principal district judge, but no corrective action had been taken.
In one of the allegations levelled on Thursday, the Bar Association stated that Judge Rathi used the word “dalaal”—meaning broker—while referring to a senior advocate associated with the body.
The lawyers’ organisation maintained that such conduct damages the independence of the Bar and risks eroding public trust in the justice delivery system.
Emphasising the importance of cordial relations between judges and lawyers, the association said that the functioning of courts depends on mutual respect and cooperation between the Bench and the Bar. While advocates are expected to uphold professional standards and maintain courtroom discipline, judicial officers, it said, are equally obligated to treat members of the legal fraternity with fairness, patience and dignity.
The resolution has intensified tensions within the Karkardooma court complex, with the Bar Association reiterating its demand for action over the grievances raised by advocates.
