The Supreme Court has called for the constitution of grievance redressal committees across the country to resolve issues between the bench and the bar amicably. The apex court passed the order while hearing two petitions relating to a recent viral video in which a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court was allegedly warning a young advocate that he would be sent to 24-hour judicial custody over a purported procedural lapse. 

 

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that even before receipt of formal communications from the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) regarding the video, the CJI had asked the chief justice of the high court to send a report on the issue. The court noted that the report received from the chief justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court has substantially allayed the concerns that have arisen in the matter, and the issue was resolved between the parties even before the circulation of the clip on social media.

 

The apex court stressed that judges at all levels must show patience, compassion and encouragement, particularly towards young lawyers. It said new entrants to the legal profession should be guided and supported, especially in trial courts. The court also asked the Bar Council of India and state bar councils to organise structured orientation programmes for young advocates.

 

Emphasising the need for institutional mechanisms, the bench directed all high courts to constitute grievance redressal committees at the high court, district and taluka levels for amicable settlement of disputes between lawyers and judges. The Supreme Court further said the media must act responsibly while reporting such incidents, as circulation of decontextualised videos could create unwarranted prejudice.