Avoid contempt stick: Parihar to judges
OBA president stresses on need to redefine bench-bar relations
LUCKNOW: Oudh Bar Association president HGS Parihar on Saturday called for redefining the relationship between bar and the bench.
Speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the new building of Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court here, Parihar suggested that judges should avoid frequently using the court’s contempt powers against lawyers.
“Judges often use the contempt stick to restrain lawyers,” he said, adding, “If a lawyer has committed any mistake then the bench must take the bar into confidence and discus the issue. Just passing a contempt order against a lawyer will not make the relationship between the bench and the bar cordial.”
Parihar’s speech, which was well received by lawyers present in the ceremony, reflected the often tense relationship between the bench and the bar. “The bench and the bar are two wheels of a chariot and if one of them gets damaged then the chariot will not move,” he said, while urging the two to collaborate with each other for providing justice to people.
Parihar also raised the long pending demand of increasing the jurisdiction of Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court. “Now, when we have this new building with all infrastructure, it is high time to expand the jurisdiction of the Lucknow bench. Adjoining districts of Lucknow must be brought under the jurisdiction of the bench,” said Parihar.
The Oudh bar association president also asked the government to fill up the vacant posts of judges. “Due to shortage of judges, delivery of justice gets delayed. And there must be transparency in appointment of judges,” Parihar said.