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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bar Council issues notices to 16 lawyers over alleged bench-hunting in Roop Bansal case
The Privilege Committee of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has initiated proceedings against 16 lawyers, including two senior advocates, over alleged attempts to manipulate the bench assignment process in a high-profile corruption case involving Gurugram-based real estate developer Roop Bansal. In an order dated August 7, 2025, the Committee directed the advocates to appear in person or through counsel on August 16 at 3 pm, along with their replies. The list includes Senior Advocates Rakesh Nehra and Puneet Bali, besides Advocates J.K. Singla, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Aditya Aggarwal, Gagandeep Singh, Anmol Chandan, Baljeet Beniwal, Harsh Sharma, Sauhard Singh, Rupender Singh, Ankit Yadav, Ashim Singla, Aakash Sharma, Ms. Bindu, and APS Shergil. The move follows observations made by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in CRM-M-19843-2025 (Roop Bansal vs State of Haryana), where Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, in the open court, flagged concerns over 'bench shopping' and warned that such conduct was 'destroying the Bar.' The Indian Express had reported that the Bench had asked Bansal's legal team to produce the advocate who filed a fresh plea in the matter 'just to get the case out of a particular Bench.' The Committee, chaired by Raj Kumar Chauhaan, said the matter was taken up suo motu to 'uphold the dignity of the legal profession, ensure the maintenance of legal ethics, and discharge the responsibilities entrusted under law.' It further wrote, 'In the battle of justice and injustice and in between the righteous and wrong, in Mahabharata, the silence of Bhishma and Drona in the Court of Hastinapur, during Draupadi's humiliation, reveals a timeless truth – when those trained in law and morality remain silent in the face of injustice, the law itself collapses.' Citing legal maxims and historical analogies, it likened any attempt to subvert judicial processes to an 'invasion of the Temple of Justice,' comparable to 'the desecration of the Somnath Temple in the 11th century.' From the records, the Committee said it appeared that Advocate J.K. Singla 'orchestrated the game plan' but that it was 'highly unbelievable' such an effort could be carried out alone. 'There might be some big ingenious mind advocates behind the curtains, which has to be unearthed,' it noted, terming the alleged conduct as 'tactful, systematic and in an organized manner.' The order invoked Section 6(c) and (d) of the Advocates Act, 1961, empowering the Bar Council to take action in cases involving professional misconduct. It also acknowledged the 'complexity of tactics such as bench hunting, bar hunting or forum shopping' allegedly adopted by some lawyers and businessmen 'for ulterior motives.' The Committee said it would also seek responses from senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi 'to fairly and comprehensively adjudicate the matter.' Additionally, it invited information, complaints, or any material from advocates and affected persons via its official email and WhatsApp number. Emphasising that 'legal ethics are not optional, they are sacred,' the order warned that any lawyer who manipulates the judicial process 'for convenience and gain' is 'a menace to society.' Quoting Gandhi, Ambedkar, Roscoe Pound, Lord Denning and Justice Louis Brandeis, the Committee underlined that lawyers are 'custodians of justice' and 'guardians of constitutional morality.' 'The Bar Council cannot sit idle as a mere spectator. It is the duty of the Committee to trace out the rotten apple/apples from the basket, before all get rotten,' the order concluded. Bar Council Secretary Gagandeep Jammu, when contacted, said, 'As Secretary of the Bar Council, I will be forwarding these notices to the advocates concerned on the allegations of bar shopping. If the Bar Council is satisfied with their explanation, it will close the matter, if not, it has the power to suspend or even cancel their licences.' The notice further read, 'This Committee is also of the view that for the fair inquiry and to look into the unethical measures adopted by some of the advocates, let the information/complaints/any kind of material, if any, be taken from the advocates and the affected persons.' The matter will be heard at 3 pm on August 16, at the Bar Council's Chandigarh office.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
State bar council issues notices to 16 lawyers over alleged ‘bench hunting'
CHANDIGARH: The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana (BCPH) has issued notices to 16 lawyers, including two senior advocates, in connection with allegations of 'bench hunting' in a high-profile case involving real estate developer Roop Bansal. The council issued the notice following a suo motu inquiry initiated by the Privilege Committee after media reports and court observations hinted at attempts to manipulate the bench allocation process of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Privilege Committee, chaired by Raj Kumar Chauhan, convened on August 7 to examine records in CRM-M-19843-2025 (Roop Bansal vs State of Haryana), along with related high court orders and news reports. The committee observed that the allegations, if proven, amount to a grave attack on the dignity and ethics of the legal profession. 'Any attempt to subvert the Temple of Justice, motivated by greed or manipulation, must be addressed with utmost seriousness,' the order stated, invoking historical and moral analogies from the Mahabharata and quotes from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Lord Denning, and Justice Brandeis. The order was released on Friday late evening. The lawyers who have been asked to file a response to the issue are J K Singla, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Aditya Aggarwal, Gagandeep Singh, Anmol Chandan, Baljeet Beniwal, Harsh Sharma, Sauhard Singh, Rupender Singh, Ankit Yadav, Ashim Singla, Aakash Sharma, Bindu, APS Shergil, Senior Advocate Rakesh Nehra, and Senior Advocate Puneet Bali. All are alleged to have appeared or acted on behalf of Roop Bansal in the matter. The committee noted that records prima facie suggest Advocate J K Singla may have played a 'key role' in orchestrating the strategy, but stressed that such actions were likely carried out 'in an organised manner' with involvement from other 'ingenious minds' yet to be identified. The order also called for responses from prominent Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi to ensure a comprehensive adjudication. The lawyers have been asked to appear before the Privilege Committee on August 16 at 3 pm, either in person or through counsel, and to submit written replies. The committee likened the alleged practice of bench hunting—seeking a particular bench perceived to be favourable—to 'rotten apples in the basket' and stressed the need to remove them before the entire profession's integrity is compromised. It also appealed for information or complaints from advocates or affected persons, to be sent via the committee's email or official WhatsApp number. 'The legal profession is not merely a career—it is a calling that demands unshakable integrity, moral courage, and devotion to the cause of justice,' the order concluded, warning that ethical breaches by even a few can corrode public faith in the entire system. Importantly, the matter came into the limelight after a complaint was received by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and the matter was de-listed from the bench of Justice Mahabir Singh Sandhu, who reserved its verdict after hearing the matter. The Chief Justice, in its order, hinted at bench hunting by the lawyers in this matter. Prior to referring the matter to Justice Sandhu, several benches recused themselves from hearing. Interestingly, even after taking the matter from Justice Sandhu, several other judges of the HC recused themselves from hearing this case. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
