A dramatic courtroom exchange at the Andhra Pradesh High Court has gone viral, showing a judge threatening to send a lawyer to police custody even as the visibly distressed advocate folded his hands and pleaded for mercy. The police custody order was later withdrawn following the incident on Monday.
The incident unfolded before Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao during the hearing of a petition challenging a Look-Out Circular (LOC) and the impounding of a litigant’s passport. As the court indicated it may adjourn the matter to retrieve a previous order in a similar case, tempers flared during an exchange with the advocate representing the petitioner, Bar and Bench reported.
“Have I decided to dismiss your writ petition? Are you thinking that you are a great senior advocate? Call the police. You go and file an appeal,” the judge is heard saying in the now-viral clip.
The visibly distressed lawyer, claiming he was in pain, folded his hands and pleaded, “Sorry. I am begging for your grace, your lordship.” Despite the appeal, the judge remarked that the counsel had behaved “indolently” and even asked other lawyers present to identify themselves as witnesses to the conduct.
In a shocking move, the court directed the police to take the advocate into custody for 24 hours. Even as the lawyer continued to seek leniency, the judge responded, “Don’t say anything counsel,” and went on to suggest he could stage a protest with the Bar if aggrieved.
The precise trigger for the judge’s sharp reaction remains unclear.
Sources told Bar and Bench that following intervention by the High Court Bar Association, the order directing custody was later cancelled. The matter has now been adjourned and is expected to be listed after the summer vacation.
The episode has since drawn strong criticism from the Bar Council of India (BCI), which has written to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, seeking urgent intervention. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra termed the incident “deeply disturbing,” raising concerns over judicial temperament, proportionality, and fairness, LiveLaw reported.
In its letter, the BCI said that while courts have the authority to discipline advocates, sending a lawyer to custody over a procedural lapse appeared “prima facie grossly inappropriate.” It warned that such incidents could have a “chilling effect” on young lawyers and undermine the balance of respect between the bench and the Bar.
“The dignity of the court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open court and is still sent to custody,” the letter stated, urging a review of the video recording and appropriate administrative action.
The viral video continues to circulate widely online, sparking a debate over courtroom conduct, judicial authority and the treatment of lawyers within the justice system.
– Ends
