Bar Council Orders Urgent Probe into Alleged Bench-Hunting by Advocates in Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Voice of Chandigarh 

The Bar Council has taken serious note of reports alleging that certain advocates practicing before the Punjab & Haryana High Court are engaging in “bench-hunting”—a practice aimed at securing favorable orders by manipulating the bench before which a case is listed or deliberately avoiding a particular bench.

This unethical conduct, which surfaced prominently through social media and has been confirmed by multiple Bar Council members, has raised grave concerns over the misuse of privileges granted under the Advocates Act. Terming it a “serious misuse” of the professional liberties entrusted to advocates, the Bar Council emphasized that such practices, if left unchecked, threaten to erode the credibility of the judicial system and tarnish the dignity and reputation of the legal profession.

Recognizing its responsibility to uphold the sanctity and decorum of the legal community, the Bar Council has entrusted the matter to its Privilege Committee, already mandated to safeguard the rights and privileges of advocates. The Committee, headed by Raj Kumar Chauhan, Member of the Bar Council, has been directed to initiate an immediate and thorough inquiry into the issue on a day-to-day basis.

The Committee is empowered to adopt all necessary procedures as provided under the Advocates Act, including issuance of notices, recording of statements, summoning records, and collecting relevant information from various agencies, the Press, and even the High Court if required.

The Bar Council has urged the Privilege Committee to act promptly and submit its findings and recommendations at the earliest, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the integrity and discipline of the legal profession.