Gurugram lawyers boycott magistrate's court over 'mistreatment' claims

The District Bar Association, Gurugram, boycotted the court of a judicial magistrate on Thursday, Aug 20 alleging mistreatment of lawyers, an advocate said.

Lawyers locked the courtroom and staged a sit-in protest outside, alleging the magistrate's conduct towards them was improper and that several complaints had already been raised on the matter. No official statement was issued by the district courts on behalf of the magistrate concerned.

According to the lawyers, a senior advocate had asked the court on Wednesday for a new hearing date, citing personal constraints. The request was rejected and the advocate was allegedly mistreated in the process.

The District Bar Association held a meeting on Thursday morning and decided to boycott the court of Judicial Magistrate Rupam.

Advocate Rahul Dhankhar, the association's secretary, said complaints were frequently received about judicial magistrates not conducting themselves properly with advocates, adding that lawyers played a vital role in the judicial process and their dignity had to be respected.

Advocate Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, a former president of the association, said better coordination between the Bar and the Bench was essential, and that advocates expected respectful treatment from the Bench in return for their cooperation.