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CASE NO.:

Writ Petition (civil) 132 of 1988

PETITIONER:

Ex-Capt. Harish Uppal

RESPONDENT:

Union of India & Anr.

DATE OF JUDGMENT: 17/12/2002

BENCH:

CJI, DORAISWAMY RAJU, S. N. VARIAVA, D. M. DHARMADHIKARI

JUDGMENT:

J U D G M E N T

(WITH W. P. (C) No. 394/93, W. P. (C) No.

821/90, W. P. (C) No. 320/93 and W. P.

(C) 406/2000)

S. N. VARIAVA, J.

1) All these Petitions raise the question whether lawyers have a

right to strike and/or give a call for boycotts of Court/s. In all these

Petitions a declaration is sought that such strikes and/or calls for

boycott are illegal. As the questions vitally concerned the legal

profession, public notices were issued to Bar Associations and Bar

Councils all over the country. Pursuant to those notices some Bar

Associations and Bar Councils have filed their responses and have

appeared and made submissions before us.

2) In Writ Petition (C) No. 821 of 1990, an interim order came to be

passed. This Order is reported in (1995) 1 Scale p.6. The

circumstances under which it is passed and the nature of the interim

order are set out in the Order. The relevant portion reads as under:

"2. The Officiating Secretary, Bar Council of India, Mr. C.

R. Balaram filed an affidavit on behalf of the Bar Council of

India wherein he states that a 'National Conference' of

members of the Bar Council of India and State Bar

Councils was held on 10th and 11th September, 1994 and a

working paper was circulated on behalf of the Bar Council

of India by Mr. V. C. Misra, Chairman, Bar Council of India,

inter alia on the question of strike by lawyers. In that

working paper a note was taken that Bar Association had

proceeded on strike on several occasions in the past, at

times, State-wide or Nationwide, and 'while the profession

does not like it as members of the profession are

themselves the losers in the process' and while it is not

necessary to sit in judgment over the wider question

whether members of the profession can at all go on strike

or boycott of courts, it was felt that even if it is assumed

that such a right enures to the members of the profession,

the circumstances in which such a steps should be restored

should be clearly indicated. Referring to an earlier case

before the Delhi High Court it was stated that the Bar

Council of India had made its position clear to the effect

"(a) Bar Council of India is against resorting to strike

excepting in rarest of rare cases involving the dignity and

independence of the judiciary as well as of the Bar; and

(b) whenever strikes becomes inevitable, efforts shall be

made to keep it short and peaceful to avoid causing

hardship to the litigant public." (emphasis supplied). It

was in response to the above that a consensus emerged at

the Bar at the hearing of the matter that instead of the

Court going into the wider question whether or not the

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members of the legal profession can resort to strike or

abstain from appearing in cases in Court in which they are

engaged, the Court may see the working of the interim

arrangement and if that is found to be satisfactory it may

perhaps not be required to go into the wider question at

this stage. Pursuant to the discussion that took place at

the last hearing on 30th November, 1994, the following

suggestions have emerged as an interim measure

consistent with the Bar Council of India's thinking that

except in the rarest of rare cases strike should not be

resorted to and instead peaceful demonstration may be

resorted to avoid causing hardship to the litigant public.

The learned counsel suggested that to begin with the

following interim measures may be sufficient for the

present:-

"(1) In the rare instance where any association

of lawyers including statutory Bar Councils considers

it imperative to call upon and/or advise members of

the legal profession to abstain from appearing in

courts on any occasion, it must be left open to any

individual member/members of that association to

be free to appear without let, fear or hindrance or

any other coercive steps.

(2) No such member who appears in court or

otherwise practices his legal profession, shall be

visited with any adverse or penal consequences

whatever, by any association of lawyers, and shall

not suffer any expulsion or threat of expulsion

therefrom.

(3) The above will not preclude other forms

of protest by practising lawyers in court such as, for

instance, wearing of arm bands and other forms of

protest which in no way interrupt or disrupt the court

proceedings or adversely affect the interest of the

litigant. Any such form of protest shall not however

be derogatory to the court or to the profession.

(4) Office-bearers of a Bar Association

(including Bar Council) responsible for taking

decisions mentioned in clause (1) above shall ensure

that such decisions are implemented in the spirit of

what is stated in clauses (1) and (2) and (3) above."

3: Mr. P. N. Duda, Sr. Advocate representing the Bar

Council of India was good enough to state that he will

suggest to the Bar Council of India to incorporate Clauses

(1), (2) and (3) and (4) in the Bar Council of India

(Conduct & Disciplinary) Rules, so that it can have

statutory support should there be any violation or

contravention of the aforementioned four clauses. The

suggestion that we defer the hearing and decision on the

larger question whether or not members of the profession

can abstain from work commends to us. We also agree

with the suggestion that we see the working of the

suggestions in clauses (1) to (4) above for a period of at

least six months by making the said clauses the rule of the

Court. Accordingly we make clauses (1) to (4) mentioned

above the order of this Court and direct further course of

action in terms thereof. The same will operate

prospectively. We also suggest to the Bar Councils and

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Bar Associations that in order to clear the pitch and to

uphold the high traditions of the profession as well as to

maintain the unity and integrity of the Bar they consider

dropping action already initiated against their members

who had appeared in Court notwithstanding strike calls

given by the Bar Council or Bar Association. Besides,

members of the legal profession should be alive to the

possibility of Judge of different Courts refusing

adjournments merely on the ground of their being a strike

call and insisting on proceeding with cases."

The above interim Order was passed in the hope that better sense

could prevail and lawyers would exercise self restraint. In spite of the

above interim directions and the statement of Mr. P. N. Duda the Bar

Council of India has not incorporated clauses (1) to (4) in the Bar

Council of India (Conduct & Disciplinary) Rules. The phenomenon of

going on strike at the slightest provocation is on the increase. Strikes

and calls for boycott have paralysed the functioning of Courts for a

number of days. It is now necessary to decide whether lawyers have a

right to strike and/or give a call for boycott of Court/s.

3) We have heard Mr. Dipanker Gupta, learned Amicus Curie. We

have heard the Petitioner in person and Advocates for the various Writ

Petitioners. We have heard the Bar Councils and Bar Associations who

desired to be heard.

4) Mr. Dipanker Gupta referred to various authorities of this Court

and submitted that the reasons why strikes have been called by the

Bar Associations and/or Bar Councils are :

(a) confrontation with the police and/or the legal administration;

(b) grievances against the Presiding Officer;

(c) grievances against Judgments of Courts;

(d) clash of interest between groups of lawyers and

(e) grievances against the legislature or a legislation.

Mr. Gupta submitted that the law was well established. He pointed out

that this Court has declared that strikes are illegal. He submitted that

even a call for strike is bad. He submitted that it is time that the Bar

Council of India as well as various State Bar Councils monitor strikes

within their jurisdiction and ensure that there are no call for strikes

and/or boycotts. He submitted that in all cases where redressal can

be obtained by going to a Court of law there should be no strike.

5) Mr. Nigam, on behalf of Petitioner in Writ Petition (C) No. 406 of

2000, submitted that strike as a mean for collective bargaining is

recognised only in industrial disputes. He submitted that lawyers who

are officers of the Court cannot use strikes as a means to blackmail

the Courts or the clients. He submitted that the call for strike by

lawyers is in effect a call to breach the contract which lawyers have

with their clients. He submitted that it has already been declared by

Courts that a strike is illegal. He submitted that it is now time that

Courts cast responsibility on the Bar Councils and the Bar Associations

to see that there is no strike and/or call for boycott. He submitted

that now the Executive Committee of any Bar Council or Bar

Association which calls for a strike or boycott should be held

responsible by the Courts. He submitted that the Courts must take

action against the Committee members for giving such calls on the

basis that they have committed contempt of court. He submitted that

the law is that a lawyer who has accepted a Vakalat on behalf of a

client must attend Court and if he does not attend Court it would

amount to professional misconduct and also contempt of court. He

submitted that Court should now frame rules whereby the Courts

regulate the right of lawyers to appear before the Court. He submitted

that Courts should frame rules whereby any lawyer who mis-conducts

himself and commits contempt of court by going on strike or

boycotting a Court will not be allowed to practice in that Court. He

submitted that it should now be held that even if a requisition for a

meeting to consider a strike is received, the Committee members of a

Bar Association or the Bar Council should refuse to call a meeting for

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that purpose. He submitted that no Association or Bar Councils can

have any legal or moral right to call a meeting to consider a call for an

illegal act. He submitted that this Court should now issue a

mandamus to the Bar Councils to frame rules in consonance with the

interim directions which have been passed by this Court.

6) Mr. Prashant Bhushan, for the Petitioner in W. P. (C) No. 821 of

1990, supported Mr. Dipanker Gupta and Mr. Nigam. He further

submitted that the Court should also declare that lawyers who do not

want to participate in a strike should not be coerced by other lawyers

or Committee members. He submitted that such coercion amounts to

interference with the administration of justice and is therefore clearly

contempt of court. He submitted that this coercion need not

necessarily be by physical prevention from appearance but could also

be by a threat to withdraw facility or to terminate the membership of

the Associations. He submitted that if any such threats are given or

any such coercion is used then the Court must punish for contempt the

party so coercing.

7) Submissions were made before us by the Bar Councils of Delhi,

U.P., Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil

Nadu. Submissions were also made before us on behalf of Bar

Associations of Madras, Kerala, Calcutta, Nainital and the Supreme

Court Bar Association. Counsels for the Bar Councils and Bar

Associations submitted that they were not in favour of strikes and/or

call for strikes. Many of them stated that their Associations had not

gone on strike at all and/or only on token strikes of not more than one

day. The consensus at the Bar was that lawyers cannot and should

not resort to strike in order to vent their grievances where a legal

remedy was available. The consensus at the Bar was that even where

a legal remedy was not available strike should be resorted to in the

rarest of rare cases like when the dignity of the Court or the Bar was

at stake. The consensus was that even in such cases only a token

strike of one day may be resorted to. The consensus was that other

methods of protests must be resorted to, viz. passing of resolutions,

making representations, taking out silent processions without causing

disturbance to Court work, holding dharnas or relay fast and wearing

white ribbons. The consensus of the Bar was that there must be a

mechanism for redressing the grievances of the lawyers. It was

suggested that the Committees be set up to whom grievances can be

submitted.

8) It must however be mentioned that counsel on behalf of U. P.

Bar Council struck a discordant note. He submitted that lawyers had a

right to go on strike or give a call for boycott. He submitted that

Courts had no power of supervision over the conduct of lawyers. He

submitted that Section 50 of the Advocates Act, 1950 repealed earlier

provisions which had permitted Courts to control rights of Advocates to

practice in Courts. He submitted that there are many occasions when

lawyers require to go on strike or gave a call for boycott. He

submitted that this Court laying down that going on strike amounts to

misconduct is of no consequence as the Bar Councils have been vested

with the power to decide whether or not an Advocate has committed

misconduct. He submitted that this Court cannot penalise any

Advocate for misconduct as the power to discipline is now exclusively

with the Bar Councils. He submitted that it is for the Bar Councils to

decide whether strike should be resorted to or not.

9) The learned Attorney General submitted that strike by lawyers

cannot be equated with strikes resorted to by other sections of society.

He submitted that the basic difference is that members of the legal

profession are officers of the Court. He submitted that they are

obliged by the very nature of their calling to aid and assist in the

dispensation of justice. He submitted that strike or abstention from

work impaired the administration of justice and that the same was

thus inconsistent with the calling and position of lawyers. He

submitted that abstention from work, by lawyers, may be resorted to

in the rarest of rare cases, namely, where the action protested against

is detrimental to free and fair administration of justice such as there

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being a direct assault on the independence of the judiciary or a

provision is enacted nullifying a judgment of a Court by an executive

order or in case of supersession of judges by departure from the

settled policy and convention of seniority. He submitted that even in

cases where the action eroded the autonomy of the legal profession,

e.g. dissolution of Bar Councils and recognized Bar Associations or

packing them with government nominees a token strike of one day

may be resorted to. He submitted even in the above situations the

duration of abstention from work should be limited to a couple of hours

or at the maximum one day. He submitted that the purpose should be

to register a protest and not to paralyse the system. He suggested

that alternative forms of protest can be explored, e.g., giving press

statements, TV interviews, carrying banners and/or placards, wearing

black arm-bands, peaceful protest marches outside court premises etc.

He submitted that abstention from work for the redressal of a

grievance should never be resorted to where other remedies for

seeking redressal are available. He submitted that all attempts should

be made to seek redressal from the concerned authorities. He

submitted that where such redressal is not available or not

forthcoming, the direction of the protest can be against that authority

and should not be misdirected, e.g., in cases of alleged police

brutalities Courts and litigants should not be targeted in respect of

actions for which they are in no way responsible. He agreed that no

force or coercion should be employed against lawyers who are not in

agreement with the "strike call" and want to discharge their

professional duties. The learned Attorney General relied upon the

following observations of a Full Bench of the Kerala High Court in the

case of Bharat Kumar K. Paricha & Anr. V. State of Kerala & Ors. which

are reproduced below:

"No political party or organization can claim that it is entitled to

paralyse the industry and commerce in the entire State or nation and

is entitled to prevent the citizens not in sympathy with its viewpoint,

from exercising their fundamental rights or from performing their

duties for their own benefit or for the benefit of the State or the

nation." [See (1998) 1 SCC 201 at 204, para 17] [emphasis added]

10) He pointed out that the judgment of the Kerala High Court has been

approved by this Hon'ble Court in the case of Communist Party of India (M) v. Bharat

Kumar & Ors. (1998) 1 SCC 201 at 202.

11) Before considering the question raised it is necessary to keep in

mind the role of lawyers in the administration of justice and also their

duties and obligations as officers of this Court. In the case of Lt. Col.

S. J. Chaudhary vs. State (Delhi Administration) reported in (1984) 1

SCC 722, the High Court had directed that a criminal trial go on from

day to day. Before this Court it was urged that the Advocates were

not willing to attend day to day as the trial was likely to be prolonged.

It was held that it is the duty of every advocate who accepts a brief in

a criminal case to attend the trial day to day. It was held that a

lawyer would be committing breach of professional duties if he fails to

so attend.

12) In the case of K. John Koshy & Ors. vs. Dr. Tarakeshwar Prasad

Shaw reported in (1998) 8 SCC 624, one of the questions was whether

the Court should refuse to hear a matter and pass an Order when

counsel for both the sides were absent because of a strike call by the

Bar Association. This Court held that the Court could not refuse to

hear the matter as otherwise it would tantamount to Court becoming a

privy to the strike.

13) In the case of Mahabir Prasad Singh vs. Jacks Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

reported in (1999) 1 SCC page 37, an application had been made to

the trial Court to suo moto transfer the case to some other Court as

the Bar Association had passed a resolution to boycott that Court. It

was stated that the lawyers could not thus appear before that Court.

The trial Court rightly rejected the application. In a revision petition

the High Court stayed the proceedings before the trial Court. This

Court held that the High Court had committed grave error in

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entertaining the revision petition and passing an Order of stay.

Following the ratio laid down in Lt. Col. S.J. Chaudhary's case, this

Court held as follows:

"15. This is not a case where the respondent was

prevented by the Additional District Judge from

addressing oral arguments, but the respondent's

counsel prevented the Additional District Judge from

hearing his oral arguments on the stated cause that

he decided to boycott that Court for ever as the Delhi

Bar Association took such a decision. Here the

counsel did not want a case to be decided by that

Court. By such conduct, the counsel prevented the

judicial process to have flowed on its even course.

The respondent has no justification to approach the

High Court as it was the respondent who contributed

to such a situation.

16. If any counsel does not want to appear in a

particular court, that too for justifiable reasons,

professional decorum and etiquette require him to

give up his engagement in that court so that the

party can engage another counsel. But retaining the

brief of his client and at the same time abstaining

from appearing in that court, that too not on any

particular day on account of some personal

inconvenience of the counsel but as a permanent

feature, is unprofessional as also unbecoming of the

status of an advocate. No Court is obliged to adjourn

a cause because of the strike call given by any

association of advocates or a decision to boycott the

courts either in general or any particular court. It is

the solemn duty of every court to proceed with the

judicial business during court hours. No court should

yield to pressure tactics or boycott calls or any kind of

browbeating."

14) In the case of Koluttumottil Razak vs. State of Kerala reported in

(2000) 4 SCC 465, counsel did not appear in Court as advocates had

called for a strike. As the appellant was languishing in jail this Court

held that an adjournment would not be justified. This Court held that

it is the duty of the Court to look into the matter itself.

15) In the case of U.P. Sales Tax Service Association vs. Taxation

Bar Association reported in (1995) 5 SCC 716, the question was

whether the High Court could issue a writ or direction prohibiting a

statutory authority from discharging quasi judicial functions i.e. direct

the State Government to withdraw all powers from it and transfer all

pending cases before the officer to any other officer and whether

advocates would be justified to go on strike as a pressure group. In

that context this Court observed as follows:

"11. It is fundamental that if rule of law is to have

any meaning and content, the authority of the court or a

statutory authority and the confidence of the public in

them should not be allowed to be shaken, diluted or

undermined. The courts of justice and all tribunals

exercising judicial functions from the highest to the lowest

are by their constitution entrusted with functions directly

connected with the administration of justice. It is that

expectation and confidence of all those, who have or are

likely to have business in that court or tribunal, which

should be maintained so that the court/tribunal perform all

their functions on a higher level of rectitude without fear or

favour, affection or ill-will. Casting defamatory aspersions

upon the character, ability or integrity of the judge/judicial

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officer/authority undermines the dignity of the

court/authority and tends to create distrust in the popular

mind and impedes the confidence of the people in the

courts/tribunals which is of prime importance to the

litigants in the protection of their rights and liberties. The

protection to the judges/judicial officer/authority is not

personal but accorded to protect the institution of the

judiciary from undermining the public confidence in the

efficacy of judicial process. The protection, therefore, is

for fearless curial process. Any scurrilous, offensive,

intimidatory or malicious attack on the judicial

officer/authority beyond condonable limits, amounts to

scandalising the court/tribunal amenable to not only

conviction for its contempt but also liable to libel or

defamation and damages personally or group libel.

Maintenance of dignity of the court/judicial officer or quasi-

judicial authority is, therefore, one of the cardinal

principles of rule of law embedded in judicial review. Any

uncalled for statement or allegation against the judicial

officer/statutory authorities, casting aspersions of court's

integrity or corruption would justify initiation of

appropriate action for scandalising the court or tribunal or

vindication of authority or majesty of the court/tribunal.

The accusation of the judicial officer or authority or

arbitrary and corrupt conduct undermines their authority

and rudely shakes them and the public confidence in

proper dispensation of justice. It is of necessity to protect

dignity or authority of the judicial officer to maintain the

stream of justice pure and unobstructed. The judicial

officer/authority needs protection personally. Therefore,

making wild allegations of corruption against the presiding

officer amounts to scandalising the court/statutory

authority. Imputation of motives of corruption to the

judicial officer/authority by any person or group of persons

is a serious inroad into the efficacy of judicial process and

threat to judicial independence and needs to be dealt with

the strong arm of law."

16) It was held that the High Court did not have power to issue a

writ of direction prohibiting a statutory authority from discharging

quasi judicial functions. The question whether lawyers had a right to

strike was not gone into.

17) In the case of B. L. Wadehra vs. State (NCT of Delhi) & Ors.

reported in AIR (2000) Delhi 266, one of the questions was whether a

direction should be issued to the lawyers to call off a strike. The Delhi

High Court noted certain observations of this Court which are worth

reproducing:

"In Indian Council of Legal Aid and Advice v. Bar

Council of India reported in (1995) 1 SCC 732 : (AIR 1995

SC 691), the Supreme Court observed thus :

"It is generally believed that members of the legal

profession have certain social obligations, e.g., to render

"pro bono publico" service to the poor and the

underprivileged. Since the duty of a lawyer is to assist the

court in the administration of justice, the practice of law

has a public utility flavour and, therefore, he must strictly

and scrupulously abide by the Code of Conduct behoving

the noble profession and must not indulge in any activity

which may tend to lower the image of the profession in

society. That is why the functions of the Bar Council

include the laying down of standards of professional

conduct and etiquette which advocates must follow to

maintain the dignity and purity of the profession."

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In Re: Sanjeev Datta, reported in (1995) 3 SCC 619 :

(1995 AIR SCW 2203) the Supreme Court has stated thus:

"20. The legal profession is a solemn and serious

occupation. It is a noble calling and all those who belong

to it are its honourable members. Although the entry to

the profession can be had by acquiring merely the

qualification of technical competence, the honour as a

professional has to be maintained by its members by their

exemplary conduct both in and outside the Court. The

legal profession is different from other professions in that

what the lawyers do, affects not only an individual but the

administration of justice which is the foundation of the

civilised society. Both as a leading member of the

intelligentsia of the society and as a responsible citizen,

the lawyer has to conduct himself as a model for others

both in his professional and in his private and public life.

The society has a right to expect of him such ideal

behaviour. It must not be forgotten that the legal

profession has always been held in high esteem and its

members have played an enviable role in public life. The

regard for the legal and judicial systems in this country is

in no small measure due to the tireless role played by the

stalwarts in the profession to strengthen them. They took

their profession seriously and practise it with dignity,

deference and devotion. If the profession is to survive, the

judicial system has to be vitalised. No service will be too

small in making the system efficient, effective and

credible."

The Delhi High Court then considered various other authorities of this

Court, including some set out above, and concluded as follows:

"30. In the light of the above-mentioned views expressed

by the Supreme Court, lawyers have no right to strike i.e.

to abstain from appearing in Court in cases in which they

hold vakalat for the parties, even if it is in response to or

in compliance with a decision of any association or body of

lawyers. In our view, in exercise of the right to protest, a

lawyer may refuse to accept new engagements and may

even refuse to appear in a case in which he had already

been engaged, if he has been duly discharged from the

case. But so long as a lawyer holds the vakalat for his

client and has not been duly discharged, he has no right to

abstain from appearing in Court even on the ground of a

strike called by the Bar Association or any other body of

lawyers. If he so abstains, he commits a professional

misconduct, a breach of professional duty, a breach of

contract and also a breach of trust and he will be liable to

suffer all the consequences thereof. There is no

fundamental right, either under Article 19 or under Article

21 of the Constitution, which permits or authorises a

lawyer to abstain from appearing in Court in a case in

which he holds the vakalat for a party in that case. On the

other hand a litigant has a fundamental right for speedy

trial of his case, because, speedy trial, as held by the

Supreme Court in Hussainara Khatoon v. Home Secretary,

State of Bihar, (1980) 1 SCC 81: (AIR 1979 SC 1360) is an

integral and essential part of the fundamental right to life

and liberty enshrined in article 21 of the Constitution.

Strike by lawyers will infringe the above-mentioned

fundamental right of the litigants and such infringement

cannot be permitted. Assuming that the lawyers are trying

to convey their feelings or sentiments and ideas through

the strike in exercise of their fundamental right to freedom

of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of

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the Constitution. We are of the view that the exercise of

the right under Article 19(1)(a) will come to an end when

such exercise threatens to infringe the fundamental right

of another. Such a limitation is inherent in the exercise of

the right under Article 19(1)(a). Hence the lawyers cannot

go on strike infringing the fundamental right of the

litigants for speedy trial. The right to practise any

profession or to carry on any occupation guaranteed by

Article 19(1)(g) may include the right to discontinue such

profession or occupation but it will not include any right to

abstain from appearing in Court while holding a vakalat in

the case. Similarly, the exercise of the right to protest by

the lawyers cannot be allowed to infract the litigant's

fundamental right for speedy trial or to interfere with the

administration of justice. The lawyer has a duty and

obligation to cooperate with the Court in the orderly and

pure administration of justice. Members of the legal

profession have certain social obligations also and the

practice of law has a public utility flavour. According to

the Bar Council of India Rules, 1975 "an Advocate shall, at

all times, comport himself in a manner befitting his status

as an officer of the Court, a privileged member of the

community and a gentleman, bearing in mind that what

may be lawful and moral for a person who is not a member

of the Bar or for a member of the Bar in his non-

professional capacity, may still be improper for an

Advocate". It is below the dignity, honour and status of

the members of the noble profession of law to organize

and participate in strike. It is unprofessional and unethical

to do so. In view of the nobility and tradition of the legal

profession, the status of the lawyer as an officer of the

court and the fiduciary character of the relationship

between a lawyer and his client and since strike interferes

with the administration of justice and infringes the

fundamental right of litigants for speedy trial of their

cases, strike by lawyers cannot be approved as an

acceptable mode of protest, irrespective of the gravity of

the provocation and the genuineness of the cause.

Lawyers should adopt other modes of protest which will

not interrupt or disrupt court proceedings or adversely

affect the interest of the litigant. Thereby lawyers can also

set an example to other sections of the society in the

matter of protest and agitations.

31. Every Court has a solemn duty to proceed with the

judicial business during Court hours and the Court is not

obliged to adjourn a case because of a strike call. The

Court is under an obligation to hear and decide cases

brought before it and it cannot shirk that obligation on the

ground that the advocates are on strike. If the counsel

or/and the party does not appear, the necessary

consequences contemplated in law should follow. The

Court should not become privy to the strike by adjourning

the case on the ground that lawyers are on strike. Even in

the Common Cause case the Supreme Court had asked the

members of the legal profession to be alive to the

possibility of Judges refusing adjournments merely on the

ground of there being a strike call and insisting on

proceeding with the cases. Strike infringes the litigant's

fundamental right for speedy trial and the Court cannot

remain a mute spectator or throw up its hands in

helplessness on the face of such continued violation of the

fundamental right.

32. Either in the name of a strike or otherwise, no

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lawyer has any right to obstruct or prevent another lawyer

from discharging his professional duty of appearing in

Court. If anyone does it, he commits a criminal offence

and interferes with the administration of justice and

commits contempt of Court and he is liable to be

proceeded against on all these counts.

33. In the light of the above discussion we are of the

view that the present strike by lawyers is illegal and

unethical. Whatever might have been the compelling

circumstances earlier, now there is absolutely no

justification for the continuance of the strike in view of the

appointment of the Commission of Inquiry and the

directions being issued in this case."

18) In our view the conclusions reached are absolutely correct and

the same need to be and are hereby approved.

19) Thereafter in the case of Roman Services Pvt. Ltd. vs. Subhash

Kapoor reported in (2001) 1 SCC 118, the question was whether a

litigant should suffer a penalty because his advocate had boycotted the

Court pursuant to a strike call made by the Association of which the

advocate was a member. In answer to this question it has been held

that when an advocate engaged by a party is on strike there is no

obligation on the part of the Court to either wait or adjourn the case

on that account. It was held that this Court has time and again set

out that an advocate has no right to stall court proceedings on the

ground that they have decided to go on a strike. In this case it was

noted that in Mahabir Prasad's case (supra), it has been held that

strikes and boycotts are illegal. That the lawyers and the Bar

understood that they could not resort to strikes is clear from

statement of Senior Counsel Shri. Krishnamani which this Court

recorded. The statement is as follows:

"13. Shri Krishamani, however, made the present position

as unambiguously clear in the following words:

"Today, if a lawyer participates in a Bar

Association's boycott of a particular court that is ex

facie bad in view of the clear declaration of law by

this Hon'ble Court. Now, even if there is boycott

call, a lawyer can boldly ignore the same in view of

the ruling of this Hon'ble Court in Mahabir Prasad

Singh (1999) 1 SCC 37."

This Court thereafter directed the concerned advocate to pay the half

the amount of the cost imposed on his client. The observations in this

behalf are as follows:

"15. Therefore, we permit the appellant to realise

half of the said amount of Rs. 5000 from the firm of

advocates M/s B.C. Das Gupta & Co. or from any one of its

partners. Initially we thought that the appellant could be

permitted to realise the whole amount from the said firm

of advocates. However, we are inclined to save the firm

from bearing the costs partially since the Supreme Court is

adopting such a measure for the first time and the counsel

would not have been conscious of such a consequence

befalling them. Nonetheless we put the profession to

notice that in future the advocate would also be

answerable for the consequence suffered by the party if

the non-appearance was solely on the ground of a strike

call. It is unjust and inequitable to cause the party alone

to suffer for the self-imposed dereliction of his advocate.

We may further add that the litigant who suffers entirely

on account of his advocate's non-appearance in court, has

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also the remedy to sue the advocate for damages but that

remedy would remain unaffected by the course adopted in

this case. Even so, in situations like this, when the court

mulcts the party with costs for the failure of his advocate

to appear, we make it clear that the same court has power

to permit the party to realise the costs from the advocate

concerned. However, such direction can be passed only

after affording an opportunity to the advocate. If he has

any justifiable cause the court can certainly absolve him

from such a liability. But the advocate cannot get

absolved merely on the ground that he did not attend the

court as he or his association was on a strike. If any

advocate claims that his right to strike must be without

any loss to him but the loss must only be for his innocent

client such a claim is repugnant to any principle of fair play

and canons of ethics. So when he opts to strike work or

boycott the court he must as well be prepared to bear at

least the pecuniary loss suffered by the litigant client who

entrusted his brief to that advocate with all confidence that

his cause would be safe in the hands of that advocate.

16. In all cases where the court is satisfied that the

ex parte order (passed due to the absence of the advocate

pursuant to any strike call) could be set aside on terms,

the court can as well permit the party to realise the costs

from the advocate concerned without driving such party to

initiate another legal action against the advocate.

17. We may also observe that it is open to the court

as an alternative course to permit the party (while setting

aside the ex parte order or decree earlier passed in his

favour) to realise the cost fixed by the court for the

purpose, from the counsel of the other party whose

absence caused the passing of such ex parte order, if the

court is satisfied that such absence was due to that

counsel boycotting the court or participating in a strike."

(emphasis supplied)

20) Thus the law is already well settled. It is the duty of every

Advocate who has accepted a brief to attend trial, even though it may

go on day to day and for a prolonged period. It is also settled law

that a lawyer who has accepted a brief cannot refuse to attend Court

because a boycott call is given by the Bar Association. It is settled law

that it is unprofessional as well as unbecoming for a lawyer who has

accepted a brief to refuse to attend Court even in pursuance of a call

for strike or boycott by the Bar Association or the Bar Council. It is

settled law that Courts are under an obligation to hear and decide

cases brought before it and cannot adjourn matters merely because

lawyers are on strike. The law is that it is the duty and obligation of

Courts to go on with matters or otherwise it would tantamount to

becoming a privy to the strike. It is also settled law that if a resolution

is passed by Bar Associations expressing want of confidence in judicial

officers it would amount to scandalising the Courts to undermine its

authority and thereby the Advocates will have committed contempt of

Court. Lawyers have known, at least since Mahabir Singh's case

(supra) that if they participate in a boycott or a strike, their action is

ex-facie bad in view of the declaration of law by this Court. A lawyer's

duty is to boldly ignore a call for strike or boycott of Court/s. Lawyers

have also known, at least since Roman Services' case, that the

Advocates would be answerable for the consequences suffered by their

clients if the non-appearance was solely on grounds of a strike call.

21) It must also be remembered that an Advocate is an officer of the

Court and enjoys special status in society. Advocates have obligations

and duties to ensure smooth functioning of the Court. They owe a

duty to their client. Strikes interfere with administration of justice.

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They cannot thus disrupt Court proceedings and put interest of their

clients in jeopardy. In the words of Mr. H. M. Seervai, a distinguished

jurist:-

"Lawyers ought to know that at least as long as lawful

redress is available to aggrieved lawyers, there is no

justification for lawyers to join in an illegal conspiracy to

commit a gross, criminal contempt of court, thereby

striking at the heart of the liberty conferred on every

person by our Constitution. Strike is an attempt to

interfere with the administration of justice. The principle is

that those who have duties to discharge in a court of

justice are protected by the law and are shielded by the

law to discharge those duties, the advocates in return have

duty to protect the courts. For, once conceded that

lawyers are above the law and the law courts, there can be

no limit to lawyers taking the law into their hands to

paralyse the working of the courts. "In my submission",

he said that "it is high time that the Supreme Court and

the High Court make it clear beyond doubt that they will

not tolerate any interference from anybody or authority in

the daily administration of justice. For in no other way can

the Supreme Court and the High Court maintain the high

position and exercise the great powers conferred by the

Constitution and the law to do justice without fear or

favour, affection or ill-will."

22) It was expected that having known the well-settled law and

having seen that repeated strikes and boycotts have shaken the

confidence of the public in the legal profession and affected

administration of justice, there would be self regulation. The above

mentioned interim Order was passed in the hope that with self

restraint and self regulation the lawyers would retrieve their profession

from lost social respect. The hope has not fructified. Unfortunately

strikes and boycott calls are becoming a frequent spectacle. Strikes,

boycott calls and even unruly and unbecoming conduct are becoming a

frequent spectacle. On the slightest pretense strikes and/or boycott

calls are resorted to. The judicial system is being held to ransom.

Administration of law and justice is threatened. The rule of law is

undermined.

23) It is held that submissions made on behalf of Bar Councils of U.

P. merely need to be stated to be rejected. The submissions based on

Advocates Act are also without merit. Section 7 of the Advocates Act

provides for the functions of the Bar Council of India. None of the

functions mentioned therein authorise paralising of the working of

Courts in any manner. On the contrary, Bar Council of India is

enjoined with the duty of laying down standards of professional

conduct and etiquette for advocates. This would mean that the Bar

Council of India ensures that Advocates do not behave in

unprofessional and unbecoming manner. Section 48A gives a right to

Bar Council of India to give directions to State Bar Councils. The Bar

Associations may be separate bodies but all Advocates who are

members of such Association are under disciplinary jurisdiction of the

Bar Councils and thus the Bar Councils can always control their

conduct. Further even in respect of disciplinary jurisdiction the final

appellate authority is, by virtue of Section 38, the Supreme Court.

24) In the case of Abhay Prakash Sahay Lalan v. High Court of

Judicature at Patna reported in AIR 1998 Patna 75, it has been held

that Section 34(1) of the Advocates Act empowers High Courts to

frame rules laying down conditions subject to which an Advocate shall

be permitted to practice in the High Court and Courts subordinate

thereto. It has been held that the power under Section 34 of the

Advocates Act is similar to the power under Article 145 of the

Constitution of India. It is held that other Sections of the Advocates

Act cannot be read in a manner which would render Section 34

ineffective.

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25) In the case of Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India

reported in (1998) 4 SCC 409, it has been held that professional

misconduct may also amount to Contempt of Court (para 21). It has

further been held as follows:

"79. An advocate who is found guilty of contempt of court

may also, as already noticed, be guilty of professional

misconduct in a given case but it is for the Bar Council of

the State or Bar Council of India to punish that advocate

by either debarring him from practice or suspending his

licence, as may be warranted, in the facts and

circumstances of each case. The learned Solicitor General

informed us that there have been cases where the Bar

Council of India taking note of the contumacious and

objectionable conduct of an advocate, had initiated

disciplinary proceedings against him and even punished

him for "professional misconduct", on the basis of his

having been found guilty of committing contempt of court.

We do not entertain any doubt that the Bar Council of the

State or Bar Council of India, as the case may be, when

apprised of the established contumacious conduct of an

advocate by the High Court or by this Court, would rise to

the occasion, and take appropriate action against such an

advocate. Under Article 144 of the Constitution "all

authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall

act in aid of the Supreme Court". The Bar Council which

performs a public duty and is charged with the obligation

to protect the dignity of the profession and maintain

professional standards and etiquette is also obliged to act

"in aid of the Supreme Court". It must, whenever facts

warrant, rise to the occasion and discharge its duties

uninfluenced by the position of the contemner advocate.

It must act in accordance with the prescribed procedure,

whenever its attention is drawn by this court to the

contumacious and unbecoming conduct of an advocate

which has the tendency to interfere with due

administration of justice. It is possible for the High Courts

also to draw the attention of the Bar Council of the State

to a case of professional misconduct of a contemner

advocate to enable the State Bar Council to proceed in the

manner prescribed b the Act and the Rules framed

thereunder. There is no justification to assume that the

Bar Councils would not rise to the occasion, as they are

equally responsible to uphold the dignity of the courts and

the majesty of law and prevent any interference in the

administration justice. Learned counsel for the parties

present before us do not dispute and rightly so that

whenever a court of record records its findings about the

conduct of an advocate while finding him guilty of

committing contempt of court and desires or refers the

matter to be considered by the Bar Council concerned,

appropriate action should be initiated by the Bar Council

concerned in accordance with law with a view to maintain

the dignity of the courts and to uphold the majesty of law

and professional standards and etiquette. Nothing is more

destructive of public confidence in the administration of

justice than incivility, rudeness or disrespectful conduct on

the part of a counsel towards the court or disregard by the

court of the privileges of the Bar. In case the Bar council,

even after receiving "reference" from the Court, fails to

take action against the advocate concerned, this Court

might consider invoking its powers under Section 38 of the

Act by sending for the record of the proceedings from the

Bar Council and passing appropriate orders. Of course, the

appellate powers under Section 38 would be available to

this Court only and not to the High Courts. We, however,

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hope that such a situation would not arise.

80. In a given case it may be possible, for this Court

or the High Court, to prevent the contemner advocate

before it till he purges himself of the contempt but that is

much different from suspending or revoking his licence or

debarring him to practise as an advocate. In a case of

contemptuous, contumacious, unbecoming or blameworthy

conduct of an Advocate-on-Record, this Court possesses

jurisdiction, under the Supreme Court Rules itself, to

withdraw his privilege to practice as an Advocate-on-

Record because that privilege is conferred by this Court

and the power to grant the privilege includes the power to

revoke or suspend it. The withdrawal of that privilege,

however, does not amount to suspending or revoking his

licence to practice as an advocate in other courts of

tribunals."

Thus a Constitution Bench of this Court has held that the Bar Councils

are expected to rise to the occasion as they are responsible to uphold

the dignity of Courts and majesty of law and to prevent interference in

administration of justice. In our view it is the duty of Bar Councils to

ensure that there is no unprofessional and/or unbecoming conduct.

This being their duty no Bar Council can even consider giving a call for

strike or a call for boycott. It follows that the Bar Councils and even

Bar Associations can never consider or take seriously any requisition

calling for a meeting to consider a call for a strike or a call for boycott.

Such requisitions should be consigned to the place where they belong

viz. the waste paper basket. In case any Association calls for a strike

or a call for boycott the concerned State Bar Council and on their

failure the Bar Council of India must immediately take disciplinary

action against the Advocates who give a call for strike and if the

Committee Members permit calling of a meeting for such purpose

against the Committee Members. Further it is the duty of every

Advocate to boldly ignore a call for strike or boycott.

26) It must also be noted that Courts are not powerless or helpless.

Section 38 of the Advocates Act provides that even in disciplinary

matters the final Appellate Authority is the Supreme Court. Thus even

if the Bar Councils do not rise to the occasion and perform their duties

by taking disciplinary action on a complaint from a client against an

advocate for non-appearance by reason of a call for strike or boycott,

on an Appeal the Supreme Court can and will. Apart from this, as set

out in Roman Services' case, every Court now should and must mulct

Advocates who hold Vakalats but still refrain from attending Courts in

pursuance of a strike call with costs. Such costs would be in addition

to the damages which the Advocate may have to pay for the loss

suffered by his client by reason of his non-appearance.

27) During hearing nobody, except on behalf of U. P. Bar Council,

could deny that the above legal position was well settled. On behalf

of Bar Council of India a request was made not to sign judgment as a

meeting had been called to formulate guidelines through consensual

process. We had therefore deferred delivery of Judgment.

28) The Bar Council of India has since filed an affidavit wherein

extracts of a Joint meeting of the Chairman of various State Bar

Councils and members of the Bar Council of India, held on 28th and

29th September, 2002, have been annexed. The minutes set out that

some of the causes which result in lawyers abstaining from work are:

I. LOCAL ISSUES

1. Disputes between lawyer / lawyers and the police and

other authorities

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2. Issues regarding corruption / misbehaviour of Judicial

Officers and other authorities.

3. Non filling of vacancies arising in Courts or non

appointment of Judicial Officers for a long period.

4. Absence of infrastructure in courts.

II. ISSUES RELATING TO ONE SECTION OF THE BAR AND ANOTHER

SECTION

1. Withdrawal of jurisdiction and conferring it to other

courts (both pecuniary and territorial).

2. Constitution of Benches of High Courts. Disputes

between the competing District and other Bar

Associations.

III) ISSUES INVOLVING DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, INDEPENDENCE OF

THE BAR AND JUDICIARY.

IV) LEGISLATION WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH THE BAR

COUNCILS.

V) NATIONAL ISSUES AND REGIONAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE

PUBLIC AT LARGE/THE INSENSITIVITY OF ALL CONCERNED.

29) At the meeting it is then resolved as follows:

"RESOLVED to constitute Grievances Redressal Committes at the

Taluk/Sub Division or Tehsil level, at the District level, High Court and

Supreme Court levels as follows: -

I) (a) A committee consisting of the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India or

his nomineee, Chairman, Bar Council of India, President, Supreme

Court Bar Association, Attorney General of India.

(b) At the High Court level a Committee consisting of the Hon'ble

Chief Justice of the State High Court or His nominee, Chairman, Bar

Council of the State, President or Presidents High Court Bar

Association, Advocate General, Member, Bar Council of India from the

State.

(C)At the District level, District Judge, President or Presidents of the

District Bar Association, District Government Pleader, Member of the

Bar Council from the District, if any, and if there are more than one,

then senior out of the two.

(d) At taluka/Tehsil/Sub Divn, Senior most Judge,

President or Presidents of the Bar Association, Government

Pleader, representative of the State Bar Council, if any.

II)Another reason for abstention at the District and Taluka

level is arrest of an advocate or advocates by police in

matters in which the arrest is not justified. Practice may

be adopted that before arrest of an advocate or advocates,

President, Bar Association, the District Judge or the Senior

most Judge at the place be consulted. This will avoid

many instances or abstentions from court.

III) IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that in the past abstention

of work by Advocates for more than a day was due to

inaction of the authorities to solve the problems that the

advocates placed.

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(IV)IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that in all cases of

legislation affecting the legal profession which includes

enactment of new laws or amendments of existing laws,

matters relating to jurisdiction and creation of Tribunal the

Government both Central and State should initiate the

consultative process with the Representatives of the

profession and take into consideration the views of the Bar

and give utmost weight to the same and the State

Government should instruct their officers to react

positively to the issues involving the profession when they

are raised and take all steps to avoid confrontation and

inaction and in such an event of indifference, confrontation

etc. to initiate appropriate disciplinary action against the

erring officials and including but not limited to transfer.

V) The Councils are of the view that abstentions of work in

courts should not be resorted to except in exceptional

circumstances. Even in exceptional circumstances, the

abstention should not be resorted to normally for more

than one day in the first instance. The decision for going

on abstention will be taken by the General Body of the Bar

Association by a majority of two-thirds members present.

VI) It is further resolved that in all issues as far as possible

legal and constitutional methods should be pursued such

as representation to authorities, holding demonstrations

and mobilising public opinion etc.

VII) It is resolved further that in case the Bar Associations

deviate from the above resolutions and proceed on

cessation of work inspite or without the decision of the

concerned Grievances Redressal Committee except in the

case of emergency the Bar Council of the State will take

such action as it may deem fit and proper the discretion

being left to the Bar Council of the State concerned as to

enforcement of such decisions and in the case of an

emergency the Bar Association concerned will inform the

State Bar Council.

The Bar Council of India resolves that this resolution will

be implemented strictly and the Bar Associations and the

individual members of the Bar Associations should take all

steps to comply with the same and avoid cessation of the

work except in the manner and to the extent indicated

above."

30) Whilst we appreciate the efforts made, in view of the endemic

situation prevailing in the country, in our view, the above resolutions

are not enough. It was expected that the Bar Council of India would

have incorporated clauses as those suggested in the interim Order of

this Court in their disciplinary rules. This they have failed to do even

now. What is at stake is the administration of justice and the

reputation of the legal profession. It is the duty and obligation of the

Bar Council of India to now incorporate clauses as suggested in the

interim Order. No body or authority, statutory or not, vested with

powers can abstain from exercising the powers when an occasion

warranting such exercise arises. Every power vested in a public

authority is coupled with a duty to exercise it, when a situation calls

for such exercise. The authority cannot refuse to act at its will or

pleasure. It must be remembered that if such omission continues,

particularly when there is an apparent threat to the administration of

justice and fundamental rights of citizens, i.e. the litigating public,

Courts will always have authority to compel or enforce the exercise of

the power by the statutory authority. The Courts would then be

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compelled to issue directions as are necessary to compel the authority

to do what it should have done on its own.

31) It must immediately be mentioned that one understands and

sympathisises with the Bar wanting to vent their grievances. But as

has been pointed out there are other methods e.g. giving press

statements, TV interviews, carrying out of Court premises banners

and/or placards, wearing black or white or any colour arm bands,

peaceful protest marches outside and away from Court premises,

going on dharnas or relay fasts etc. More importantly in many

instances legal remedies are always available. A lawyer being part

and parcel of the legal system is instrumental in upholding the rule of

law. A person casts with the legal and moral obligation of upholding

law can hardly be heard to say that he will take law in his own hands.

It is therefore time that self restraint be exercised.

32) Now let us consider whether any of the reasons set out in the

affidavit of Bar Council of India justify a strike or call for boycott. The

reasons given are:

1) Local Issues: A dispute between a lawyer/lawyers and police

or other authorities can never be a reason for going on even a token

strike. It can never justify giving a call for boycott. In such cases an

adequate legal remedy is available and it must be resorted to. The

other reasons given under the item "Local Issues" and even items (IV)

and (V) are all matters which are exclusive within the domain of

Courts and/or Legislatures. Of course the Bar may be concerned

about such things but there can be no justification to paralyse

administration of justice. In such cases representations can and

should be made. It will be for the appropriate authority to consider

those representations. We are sure that a representation by the Bar

will always be seriously considered. However, the ultimate decision in

such matters has to be that of the concerned authority. Beyond

making representations no illegal method can be adopted. At the

most, provided it is permissible or feasible to do so, recourse can be

had by way of legal remedy. So far as problems concerning Courts

are concerned we see no harm in setting up Grievance Redressal

Committees as suggested. However, it must be clear that the purpose

of such Committees would only be to set up a forum where grievance

can be ventilated. It must be clearly understood that

recommendations or suggestions of such Committees can never be

binding. The deliberations and/or suggestions and/or

recommendations of such Committee will necessarily have to be placed

before the appropriate authority viz. the concerned Chief Justice or the

District Judge. The final decision can only be of the concerned Chief

Justice or the concerned District Judge. Such final decision, whatever

it be, would then have to be accepted by all and no question then

arises of any further agitation. Lawyers must also accept the fact that

one cannot have everything to be the way that one wants it to be.

Realities of life are such that, in certain situations, after one has made

all legal efforts to cure what one perceives as an ill, one has to accept

the situation. So far as legislation, national and regional issues are

concerned, the Bar always has recourse to legal remedies. Either the

demand of the Bar on such issues is legally valid or it is not. If it is

legally valid, of all the persons in society, the Bar is most competent

and capable of getting it enforced in a Court of law. If the demand is

not legally valid and cannot be enforced in a Court of law or is not

upheld by a Court of law, then such a demand cannot be pursued any

further.

33) The only exception to the general rule set out above appears to

be item (III). We accept that in such cases a strong protest must be

lodged. We remain of the view that strikes are illegal and that Courts

must now take a very serious view of strikes and calls for boycott.

However, as stated above, lawyers are part and parcel of the system

of administration of justice. A protest on an issue involving dignity,

integrity and independence of the Bar and judiciary, provided it does

not exceed one day, may be overlooked by Courts, who may turn a

blind eye for that one day.

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34) One last thing which must be mentioned is that the right of

appearance in Courts is still within the control and jurisdiction of

Courts. Section 30 of the Advocates Act has not been brought into

force and rightly so. Control of conduct in Court can only be within

the domain of Courts. Thus Article 145 of the Constitution of India

gives to the Supreme Court and Section 34 of the Advocates Act gives

to the High Court power to frame rules including rules regarding

condition on which a person (including an Advocate) can practice in

the Supreme Court and/or in the High Court and Courts subordinate

thereto. Many Courts have framed rules in this behalf. Such a rule

would be valid and binding on all. Let the Bar take note that unless

self restraint is exercised, Courts may now have to consider framing

specific rules debarring Advocates, guilty of contempt and/or

unprofessional or unbecoming conduct, from appearing before the

Courts. Such a rule if framed would not have anything to do with the

disciplinary jurisdiction of Bar Councils. It would be concerning the

dignity and orderly functioning of the Courts. The right of the

advocate to practise envelopes a lot of acts to be performed by him in

discharge of his professional duties. Apart from appearing in the

courts he can be consulted by his clients, he can give his legal opinion

whenever sought for, he can draft instruments, pleadings, affidavits or

any other documents, he can participate in any conference involving

legal discussions, he can work in any office or firm as a legal officer,

he can appear for clients before an arbitrator or arbitrators etc. Such

a rule would have nothing to do with all the acts done by an advocate

during his practice. He may even file Vakalat on behalf of client even

though his appearance inside the court is not permitted. Conduct in

Court is a matter concerning the Court and hence the Bar Council

cannot claim that what should happen inside the Court could also be

regulated by them in exercise of their disciplinary powers. The right to

practice, no doubt, is the genus of which the right to appear and

conduct cases in the Court may be a specie. But the right to appear

and conduct cases in the Court is a matter on which the Court must

and does have major supervisory and controlling power. Hence Courts

cannot be and are not divested of control or supervision of conduct in

Court merely because it may involve the right of an advocate. A rule

can stipulate that a person who has committed contempt of Court or

has behaved unprofessionally and in an unbecoming manner will not

have the right to continue to appear and plead and conduct cases in

Courts. The Bar Councils cannot overrule such a regulation concerning

the orderly conduct of Court proceedings. On the contrary it will be

their duty to see that such a rule is strictly abided by. Courts of law

are structured in such a design as to evoke respect and reverence to

the majesty of law and justice. The machinery for dispensation of

justice according to law is operated by the Court. Proceedings inside

the Courts are always expected to be held in a dignified and orderly

manner. The very sight of an advocate, who is guilty of contempt of

Court or of unbecoming or unprofessional conduct, standing in the

court would erode the dignity of the Court and even corrode the

majesty of it besides impairing the confidence of the public in the

efficacy of the institution of the Courts. The power to frame such rules

should not be confused with the right to practise law. While the Bar

Council can exercise control over the latter, the Courts are in control of

the former. This distinction is clearly brought out by the difference in

language in Section 49 of the Advocates Act on the one hand and

Article 145 of the Constitution of India and Section 34(1) of the

Advocates Act on the other. Section 49 merely empowers the Bar

Council to frame rules laying down conditions subject to which an

Advocate shall have a right to practice i.e. do all the other acts set out

above. However, Article 145 of the Constitution of India empowers

the Supreme Court to make rules for regulating this practice and

procedure of the Court including inter-alia rules as to persons

practising before this Court. Similarly Section 34 of the Advocates Act

empowers High Courts to frame rules, inter-alia to lay down conditions

on which an Advocate shall be permitted to practice in Courts. Article

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145 of the Constitution of India and Section 34 of the Advocates Act

clearly show that there is no absolute right to an Advocate to appear in

a Court. An Advocate appears in a Court subject to such conditions as

are laid down by the Court. It must be remembered that Section 30

has not been brought into force and this also shows that there is no

absolute right to appear in a Court. Even if Section 30 were to be

brought into force control of proceedings in Court will always remain

with the Court. Thus even then the right to appear in Court will be

subject to complying with conditions laid down by Courts just as

practice outside Courts would be subject to conditions laid down by

Bar Council of India. There is thus no conflict or clash between other

provisions of the Advocates Act on the one hand and Section 34 or

Article 145 of the Constitution of India on the other.

35) In conclusion it is held that lawyers have no right to go on strike

or give a call for boycott, not even on a token strike. The protest, if

any is required, can only be by giving press statements, TV interviews,

carrying out of Court premises banners and/or placards, wearing black

or white or any colour arm bands, peaceful protect marches outside

and away from Court premises, going on dharnas or relay fasts etc.

It is held that lawyers holding Vakalats on behalf of their clients cannot

not attend Courts in pursuance to a call for strike or boycott. All

lawyers must boldly refuse to abide by any call for strike or boycott.

No lawyer can be visited with any adverse consequences by the

Association or the Council and no threat or coercion of any nature

including that of expulsion can be held out. It is held that no Bar

Council or Bar Association can permit calling of a meeting for purposes

of considering a call for strike or boycott and requisition, if any, for

such meeting must be ignored. It is held that only in the rarest of rare

cases where the dignity, integrity and independence of the Bar and/or

the Bench are at stake, Courts may ignore (turn a blind eye) to a

protest abstention from work for not more than one day. It is being

clarified that it will be for the Court to decide whether or not the issue

involves dignity or integrity or independence of the Bar and/or the

Bench. Therefore in such cases the President of the Bar must first

consult the Chief Justice or the District Judge before Advocate decide

to absent themselves from Court. The decision of the Chief Justice or

the District Judge would be final and have to be abided by the Bar. It

is held that Courts are under no obligation to adjourn matters because

lawyers are on strike. On the contrary, it is the duty of all Courts to

go on with matters on their boards even in the absence of lawyers. In

other words, Courts must not be privy to strikes or calls for boycotts.

It is held that if a lawyer, holding a Vakalat of a client, abstains from

attending Court due to a strike call, he shall be personally liable to pay

costs which shall be addition to damages which he might have to pay

his client for loss suffered by him.

36) It is now hoped that with the above clarifications, there will be

no strikes and/or calls for boycott. It is hoped that better sense will

prevail and self restraint will be exercised. The Petitions stand

disposed off accordingly.

...CJI.

.J.

(DORAISWAMY RAJU)

.J.

(S. N. VARIAVA)

.J.

(D. M. DHARMADHIKARI)

New Delhi,

December 17, 2002.

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