Lawyers vandalised Justice Ajay Bhanot's courtroom at the Allahabad High Court during a protest. CCTV evidence could trigger disciplinary and contempt proceedings against those involved.Stock photo used for illustrationPrayagraj,Oct 28, 2026 18:54 ISTLawyers at the Allahabad High Court hurled chairs and toppled shelves in the courtroom of Justice Ajay Bhanot on Wednesday amid protests over his alleged treatment of an advocate, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The incident came a day after the newly elected office-bearers of the High Court Bar Association wrote to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, seeking action over Justice Bhanot's conduct during court proceedings on October 27.When Justice Bhanot entered his courtroom on Wednesday, lawyers opposed him and some raised slogans.
A group of lawyers later vandalised tables and chairs in the courtroom.Taking note of the incident, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal directed the Registrar (Protocol) to use CCTV footage from the camera installed outside Court No. 66 to identify the advocates involved in shouting and sloganeering.
The registrar was asked to submit a report to the court by November 19. "After identifying the advocates, the matter may be referred to the Bar Council of UP for initiation of disciplinary proceedings as well as initiating the contempt proceedings against," the court said.Justice Deshwal's court was informed that some advocates were protesting outside Court No. 49 against Justice Bhanot during working hours. "Such incident amounts to interference in the court proceedings as poor litigants come to the high court for redressal of their grievance, and merely because some of the advocates have a problem with a particular court, they cannot be permitted to raise slogans, shout and disturb other courts' proceedings and use such words, which is in the nature of intimidating the court," Justice Deshwal observed. "This is wholly unjustified.
Therefore, this court is of the view that such conduct of some advocates is absolutely contemptuous," he said.According to the association's letter, the dispute began in Justice Bhanot's courtroom when an advocate asked a superintendent of police to vacate a seat, saying it was not meant for him. An additional government advocate allegedly intervened and rebuked the advocate, saying he would complain to Justice Bhanot.When the judge entered the courtroom and was informed about the incident, he allegedly castigated the advocate and ordered that he be jailed.
After the advocate sought forgiveness, the judge allegedly directed him to apologise to the police officer. Another advocate then intervened, but Justice Bhanot allegedly mocked him, which the association said adversely affected the dignity of the legal fraternity, PTI reported.Describing the judge's alleged conduct as contemptuous, the association urged the chief justice to take appropriate action.
The subsequent protest and vandalism prompted the court to order the identification of the lawyers involved and consider disciplinary and contempt proceedings against them.- Ends