New Delhi, The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, has penned a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, expressing concerns over an open letter from senior advocate Dushyant Dave. The BCI Chairman contends that Dave’s letter, addressing concerns about the listing of sensitive cases before the Supreme Court, is an attempt to exert “undue influence” for “favourable” decisions.
In his letter dated December 6, Dave, a former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president, raised issues related to the allocation and listing of cases, urging corrective measures. Without explicitly naming Dave, Mishra emphasized that such letters, aimed at influencing judicial proceedings, amount to contemptuous conduct.
Describing the letter as a “classic ploy” from a familiar playbook, Mishra stated that it seeks to create pressure on the judiciary for favorable outcomes benefiting influential clients. He asserted that these letters, lacking truth and bona fide purpose, are designed for cheap publicity.
Mishra urged the CJI to reject such letters summarily, emphasizing that they do not represent the common members of the Bar. He expressed confidence in the judiciary, praising the Chief Justice’s efforts in ensuring access to justice, protecting the interests of advocates, and rationalizing the administration of justice.
The BCI Chairman called on the CJI to quash the “nuisance” created by such letters and establish a lasting precedent against attempts to influence the judiciary through extrajudicial means.
By PTI
