Radhika Mittal
On September 29, 2024, the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh unanimously passed a resolution demanding the transfer of Justice Sangeeta Chandra from the Allahabad High Court to another jurisdiction. This decision was prompted by allegations of her disrespectful treatment of advocates, particularly following a recent incident involving Senior Advocate Satish Chandra Mishra.
The controversy began on September 27, when Justice Chandra’s Bench initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Mishra during a hearing related to a tender dispute with the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Mishra had expressed frustration over the court’s refusal to grant an interim order, resulting in a heated exchange where he allegedly insulted the court’s dignity. Justice Chandra subsequently referred the matter to the Chief Justice for contempt proceedings, which led to significant backlash from the legal community.
In response, the Oudh Bar Association (OBA) voiced its concerns in a letter to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, citing multiple complaints about Justice Chandra’s conduct towards lawyers. The association highlighted that her actions undermined the dignity of her office and called for her transfer.
The Bar Council’s resolution also requested that Justice Chandra be barred from any judicial responsibilities until her transfer is finalized. A copy of this resolution has been forwarded to the Supreme Court for further action. The situation has escalated tensions between the judiciary and legal practitioners in Uttar Pradesh, with calls for an emergency meeting by the OBA to discuss potential boycotts of Justice Chandra’s court sessions moving forward.