THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, March 10: The protest by Jharkhand High Court Advocates Association persisted on Monday, as they have voiced strong opposition to the recommendation of a practicing lawyer from the Supreme Court for a judge position in the High Court.
Amidst this, the government advocate, following the Advocate General’s instructions, appeared in the courtroom to register his presence. However, members of the Advocates Association were denied entry to the courtroom after a brief altercation with advocates outside.
Lawyers boycott courts of Chief Justice, two judges over ‘Outsider’ Judge appointments
During a general meeting on March 5, the association members decided to abstain from judicial work in the court of three judges, including the Chief Justice, starting Thursday, March 6.
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The Advocates Association had decided to boycott the courts of Chief Justice M.S. Ramchandra Rao and Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Rongon Mukhopadhyay. The move is in protest against the alleged decision to appoint ‘outsider’ lawyers as judges in the Jharkhand High Court, a demand the association has strongly opposed.
Collegium’s ‘Decision’ Sparks Protest
These three judges are part of the High Court collegium, which, according to the association, has agreed in principle to appoint at least two Supreme Court lawyers as Jharkhand High Court judges. The association claims that this decision ignores its previous resolution opposing such appointments.
Boycott of Key Courtrooms Began on March 6
In an emergency meeting, the association resolved that its members would abstain from appearing in Court Nos. 1, 3, and 4, starting March 6, 2025. It also warned that lawyers who defy the boycott will have their membership revoked. However, the association clarified that it is not against appointing regular practitioners from the Jharkhand Bar as judges.
