Parth Bajaj
On 12th March,2025, the Jharkhand High Court Advocates Association has intensified its protest against the appointment of lawyers from outside the state as judges in the Jharkhand High Court. The lawyers have been boycotting the courts of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Rongon Mukhopadhyay since March 6, as these three judges form the High Collegium responsible for recommending judicial appointments.
The Association argues that the Collegium has gone against its earlier stance by agreeing to appoint at least two Supreme Court lawyers as judges. “As you are aware, our Association has consistently maintained that the appointment of judges to the Jharkhand High Court should duly consider qualified and experienced regular practitioners/advocates from within our Bar who possess intimate knowledge of local laws, customs, and socio-economic realities of Jharkhand. This position is not only a matter of regional preference but stems from our commitment to ensure effective administration of justice that is sensitive to the unique needs and challenges of our state,” stated a letter addressed to Association members on March 4.
As the protest gained momentum, the Association took disciplinary action against certain members. In a letter issued on March 10, it suspended the membership of 15 lawyers and issued show-cause notices to them for not complying with the earlier resolution to boycott the judge’s courts.
With tensions escalating, the future course of action will be determined at the General Body meeting scheduled for March 17. Meanwhile, a five-member delegation is set to visit New Delhi to meet the President of India, the Chief Justice of India, and the Law Minister, depending on their availability.
The standoff highlights a growing divide between the local legal fraternity and the judiciary’s selection process. The Advocates Association remains firm in its stance, emphasizing that local lawyers, who are well-versed in the state’s unique legal and socio-economic landscape, should be prioritized for judicial appointments.
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