Rajkot Bar Association demands withdrawal of ‘harsh’ circular

Rajkot: The Rajkot Bar Association in a representation to the chief justice of Gujarat on Monday demanded the withdrawal of a circular issued by the principal district judge of Rajkot.
The circular, obtained by Rajkot Bar Association, was issued by judge Utkarsh Desai in which he addressed all the judges stating that, “if any advocate misbehaves or does not maintain the court’s decorum during the court proceedings the judicial officer should report this in case proceeding and that report should be sent to me for appropriate action.”
In a letter sent to the chief justice of Gujarat, the Rajkot Bar Association termed the circular ‘unprecedented and harsh’. “The circular expresses disrespect for all the members of the lawyers’ fraternity,” the Rajkot Bar Association letter states.
The letter alleged that, “Learned district judge is never inclined to hear even genuine complaints of misconduct or misbehaviour of a presiding officer.” The copy of this letter has also been forwarded to the Bar Council of Gujarat and Bar Council of India.