"Won't Allow Such Practice": Madras High Court Criticises Lawyer For Raising Allegation Of Bias Against Judge In Savukku Shankar Bail Case

The bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan came down heavily on the lawyer who made a mention of the matter. The bench made it clear that it would not allow such practice of lawyers' mudslinging the judges.

The case relates to an application filed by the Tamil Nadu police seeking to cancel the interim bail granted to YouTuber-Journalist Savukku Shankar in an extortion case. The bench of Justice P. Velmurugan and Justice M. Jothiraman had reserved orders on the application yesterday, and the orders are likely to be pronounced on Friday.

It may be noted that in one of the previous hearings, the counsel representing Shankar's mother had informed the bench hearing the case that they are moving an application regarding apprehension of bias. The bench, however, made it clear that it would not stall the hearing and asked the counsels to approach the Chief Justice if they had any apprehension.

While so, the counsel made a mention before the Chief Justice's bench today. The counsel pointed out that the senior judge of the bench had referred to Shankar as a “blackmailer”. The bench, however, criticised the lawyer for making such allegations and added that it would not allow such practices.

“We will not permit this practice at all. Don't do it before this court. We won't let court proceedings to be misused and abused in this manner,” the court orally remarked.

The bench also told the counsel that if they were aggrieved by any orders of the court, they had a remedy under law to appeal against the order. The court added that the counsels should not level such allegations against the judges, just because they may suffer some adverse orders.