Khushi Bajpai
Published on: October 9, 2022 at 18:27 IST
A letter that was purportedly authored by the president of a group calling itself the “Supreme Court and High Court Litigant Association” went viral on social media on Saturday.
A 165-page letter accusing Justice DY Chandrachud and his son Abhinav Chandrachud of judicial misconduct and requesting action against them has been written.
The Bar Council of India severely denounced the letter in a press release, saying,
The Bar Council of India has severely condemned the tactics used by some individuals with personal agendas in their futile attempt to damage the reputation of our Supreme Court and/or its Judges. Such a trend must be stopped in any case since it is seriously concerning for the nation.
A complaint was allegedly filed against the Senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, by a Mr. R. K. Pathan, who claimed to be the President of the so-called “Supreme Court and High Court Litigant Association.”
A few individuals (among whom we know that 2-3 Mumbai-based attorneys are present) are purposefully spreading the word about this article and letter by Mr. R. K. Pathan on the eve of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Chandrachud’s elevation as the Chief Justice of India.
The letter states:
“The Bar Council of India has carefully reviewed the 165-page letter’s contents and concludes that it is nothing more than a scurrilous and malicious attempt to obstruct the administration of justice and the functioning of the judiciary.”
“Surprisingly, the complaint contains no information about Mr. R. K. Pathan, including his address or the type of organization he claims to represent”
Senior Supreme Court and Bombay High Court attorneys have told the Bar Council of India that Mr. R. K. Pathan (Rashid Khan Pathan) is the same person the Supreme Court placed in contempt of court in April 2020 for making fraudulent and frivolous allegations against a judge of the Bombay High Court of Supreme court (now retired).
The Supreme Court observed the complaints to be scandalous. Bar Council of India has been informed that along with this man, two other Advocates were also held guilty for contempt for their connivance with this man and all the three were sentenced to three months simple imprisonment by Supreme Court in Contempt Petition (Cr.) No.2 of 2019.”
It has been stated that:
“Anyone can smell readily. Mr. Pathan does not represent any “Association of Litigants,” but rather a small number of Mumbai-based lawyers who have a history of using such nefarious tactics. These individuals did not even spare Mr. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud’s kid. Really, it’s rather shocking.”
This lengthy letter serves only as a means of gaining temporary notoriety.
Additionally, this man has disparaged the nation’s plaintiffs in general. Also very sad is this. Such individuals warrant severe penalties and disciplinary measures. The citations are unrelated to the letter’s substance.
In order to ensure that no one would dare to carry out such mischief in the future, the State Bar Councils of Maharashtra and Goa as well as the Bar Council of India will look into the nefarious actions of these a few Advocates of Mumbai.
Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud is completely trusted by the nation and the Indian Bar. For his knowledge, honesty, and integrity, Hon’ble Dr. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud is a valuable contribution to the world’s judiciary. Surprisingly, however, even such well-liked judges are facing criticism.
Mr. Pathan’s actions are nothing more than a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of our Indian judicial system abroad. Any such absurd behavior from anyone will not be tolerated at Indian Bar.
The timing of the complaint shows the false and fraudulent complaint’s malign intent in no uncertain terms. However, the nation’s citizens are wise enough to comprehend the reality and the motivation for such a message at this time.
The reason this man slept for such a long time is clearly understandable to the public. He was obviously anticipating the letter from the honorable Union Minister of Law and Justice requesting the identity of the Chief Justice of India’s replacement.
The Bar Council of India has always advocated for strengthening the institution, as have the State Bar Councils across the nation.
The Bar is there to defend the Judiciary so that it can operate independently, without fear or favor, so that our Supreme Court and High Courts can defend our Constitution and the democracy.
Certainly, our Judges are not supposed to come forward to defend themselves against such scandalous and baseless attacks.
The Bar Council of India appeals to the dignitaries to whom this scandalous letter is addressed, as well as to the honorable members of the bar and the responsible citizens of our nation, to disregard such baseless posts and to dissuade such anti-institutional individuals who are engaged in defaming the judiciary and who have been persistently attempting to weaken the Supreme Court.