Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notice to Bar Association Leaders Over Lawyer Strike
The Supreme Court has issued a contempt of court notice to the heads of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association following a recent case where an adverse order was rendered in the absence of a lawyer participating in a strike.
The notice was issued by a Bench comprising Justices Abhay Oka and Augustine George Masih, who expressed strong disapproval over the ongoing strike by lawyers, despite the Supreme Court’s clear mandate prohibiting such actions. Justice Oka, visibly frustrated, stated, “What is this? This is a strike by the Bar Association even after the Supreme Court has settled the law on this. This must be stopped.”
The Supreme Court’s action stems from a case [M/S M3M India Private Limited and Another v. Union of India and Others], in which an adverse order was passed by the Punjab & Haryana High Court on July 26, 2024. The order was issued despite the appellant’s lawyer being absent due to the strike called by the Bar Association.
The Supreme Court has directed the President and Secretary of the Bar Association to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. Additionally, the Registrar General of the Punjab & Haryana High Court has been asked to provide a response. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 17, 2024.
The case involves the interpretation of terms ‘material in possession’ and ‘reason to believe’ under Section 5 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
(With inputs from agency)
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