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SCBA protest on CJ's remark

Lawyers unbecoming protest action
28 January 2011, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL
Once again the Supreme Court premise has been rocked by high pitched demonstration and ill-tempered uttering of lawyers. The pro-BNP faction of Supreme Court Bar Association-SCBA staged a sit-in in front of the Chief Justice's court and demonstrated against the CJ's recent observations about lawyers and the reconstitution of High Court benches by him. We are appalled by the nature of dissent which turned the corridors of the Court into shambles. This action by the BNP bloc of the SCBA is uncalled for and outright manifestation for disregard for the Chief Justice and the Judiciary as an institution. This agitation was against somebody who occupies the highest seat of the Judiciary. He is the supreme symbol of the judicial process, the highest interpreter of law and dispenser of justice. He stands as the beacon of hope and fairness. He holds the most esteemed judicial office. Both the dejure and defacto value of his position cannot be under estimated. The protesting lawyers must remember that they are also integral part of the judicial process and have a pivotal role to play in enhancing the image of the institution as a whole. Unruliness can never serve the cause of enhancing the prestige of the judiciary. Lawyers cannot become party to practices that deflate values of law and righteousness. It is a huge blow to the very notion of judicial process. We feel the Chief Justice has the right to make a statement especially with regards to his institution and those who practice in it. He can do so as the custodian of the legal process. If the observations, or any part of it, are to be differed with, it can be easily taken up in a dignified and civil manner. The protesting lawyers could have taken the democratic course of addressing the media to convey their differences. Unfortunately their actions in the premises of the august edifice remind us of the rowdy street agitations that often turn repulsive. The lawyers have already done a great harm to their status. Ask any body who walks the corridors of our courts and the justification of the CJ's observation will become obvious. We take a very dim view of the whole process and fear that these actions from lawyers of any hue and colour will drag the judicial process down the drain. We urge them not to turn the corridors of SC into streets. Rather express their differences in ways that augment the status of lawyers and the judiciary. Let people not lose faith in this bastion of justice.

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