Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul of Madras High Court today expressed anguish at the behaviour of advocates entering court halls and raising slogans on various issues and said it was upto them "to save the tradition of the greatest institution or tarnish it."
He was referring to the February 11 protest by lawyers who entered the court halls and raised slogans against him over his alleged refusal to meet office bearers of Madras High Court Advocates Association with regard to recommendations of names for the post of judges for the court.
The CJ pointed out that the HC has an over 150-year history but the discipline of advocates now leaves much to be desired.
"If any government authorities do not follow the orders of the High Court, the High Court is empowered to take action against such authorities by taking contempt. What will the authorities think about the Court and the institution?" he said.
On some slogans against him reportedly asking him to go back to Jammu and Kashmir from where he hails, the CJ said he does not have any objection to going anywhere. Even if he left, others would come and occupy his seat.
His only worry was about this great institution which has a great tradition, the Chief Justice said.
"It is left to you whether you are going to save the tradition of this greatest institution or are going to degrade the same." The CJ further said.
The CJ made these remarks when a petition filed by Jimraj Milton, an advocate, to quash a Government Order to shift the Dr.Ambedkar Law College based on the recommendations of the Justice Shanmugam Commission of Enquiry, came up before the first bench comprising him and Justice M M Sundaresh.
The bench said they had already dismissed a similar petition and would do so for this one also and asked the counsel what he would like to do, to which he submitted that he would like to withdraw the petition.
The bench recorded it and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.
