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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
C. Hari Shankar, J.
Pawan Kumar Kakaria - Appellant
Versus
Anil Kumar Rai - Respondent
CM(M) 1061 of 2022 & CM Appl. 43600 of 2022
Decided On : 07-10-2022




The court emphasized the importance of respectful discourse in legal proceedings and criticized adverse remarks about Counsel's language as excessive, asserting that courts should avoid unnecessary sensitivity in such contexts.

Headnote:(A) Article 227 of the Constitution of India - Jurisdiction of the High Court - The court may not interfere in interim proceedings unless they are manifestly arbitrary or illegal - Comments made on Counsel’s language deemed excessive and unnecessary - Such remarks should be avoided as they can affect the dignity of the Bar. (Paras 3, 6, 7, and 9)

(B) Legal Practice - Standards of Advocacy - Counsel are expected to engage with the court respectfully and appropriately. (Paras 6, 8)

Facts of the case:
The appeal arose from an order by the learned ADJ addressing the failure of the plaintiff's Counsel to provide adequate documentation and answer queries posed by the court regarding the authenticity of documents submitted as evidence. The order also included adverse remarks about the language used by the plaintiff's Counsel during the proceedings.

Findings of Court:
The court accepted the apology from the plaintiff's Counsel regarding the language used but determined that the adverse comments made by the learned ADJ were excessive and should be expunged.

Issues: The main issues included whether the court should intervene in the impugned order and the appropriateness of the remarks made about the Counsel's language.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that it should refrain from entering adverse comments about Counsel's conduct that do not significantly impede justice and that the standards of advocacy require respect towards the court and mutual respect between all legal practitioners.

Result: The adverse remarks against Counsel are expunged, and the petition is disposed of.

Table of Content
1. background of the impugned order (Para 1 , 1)
2. request for setting aside the impugned order and procedure (Para 2)
3. court's observation of premature petition and language issues (Para 3 , 4)
4. apology by counsel and expectation of deference (Para 5 , 6)
5. court's caution against adverse remarks (Para 7 , 8)
6. expunging of adverse comment (Para 9)
7. conclusion and disposal of the petition (Para 10)

JUDGMENT (Oral)

1. The order dated 27th August 2022, passed by the learned Additional District Judge ("the learned ADJ") in CS 898/2022 (Pawan Kumar Kakaria v. Anil Kumar Rai), under challenge in the present petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, reads thus:

    "27.08.2022

    Present: Sh. Harish Katyal Ld counsel for plaintiff.

    Heard Perused.

    Plaintiff has relied upon certain documents which is purported - to be entries regarding receiving of payment by defendant in the diary being maintained by the defendant No. I only. The plaintiff has not given any notice under Order XlI Rule 8 CPC to defendant No. 1 before filing of the suit. Further, there is no other acknowledgment of the defendant which is in the possession of plaintiff.

    When the Court raised a query to the Ld counsel about the authenticity of these documents and as to why notice be issued to defendant when there is only photocopy of documents, the original of which are not available with the plaintiff and further about the limitation also the Ld counsel submits that he is 'shocked and surprised' to hear this.

    In my considered opinion, the use of such words does not behove to an advocate and an advocate is supposed to answer the query raised by the Court.

    Ld counsel is directed to satisfy the Court on its queries. Timesought for same. Heard. Allowed.

    Put up on 21.09.2022 for consideration."

2. The prayer clause in this petition reads thus:

    "The Petitioner named above in view of the submissions made herein above most respectfully prayed before this Hon'ble court that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to pass the following directions/Orders:

    a) To pass such order setting aside the impugned order dated 27.08.2022 and/or expunge the remarks made therein, in CS DJ No. 898 of 2022, Titled Pawan Kumar Kakaria Vs. Sh. Anil Rai & Anr. pending in the court of Sh. Hemraj A.D.J. Central Tis Hazari Courts and issue summon to the Defendant/respondent for the suit;

    b) To pass such order allowed the Application of the petitioner and direct the ld. Trial Court to take the Mended Written Statement on record and proceed the Case further:

    c) To pass such other Order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the instant case."

3. A reading of the impugned order reveals that the present petition is essentially premature. The impugned order merely seeks a response, from the Counsel for the petitioner, to certain queries posed by the Court. There is no question of this Court interfering at this stage of the proceedings, under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. It would be for learned Counsel to satisfy the learned ADJ regarding the queries raised by him.

4. However, the Court notes that the learned ADJ has entered certain adverse comments about the language used by the Counsel for the petitioner/plaintiff during arguments.

5. Learned Counsel for the petitioner expresses his sincere and unconditional apology for not having addressed the Court in an inappropriate fashion and undertakes that such an occurrence would not recur.

6. Counsel are, on all occasions, expected to address the Court with deference and respect. Mutual respect between Bench and Bar is the indispensable sine qua non for a vibrant and vigorous legal system to function. It cannot be said, therefore, that, in expressing "shock and surprise" at the query posed by the learned ADJ, the learned Counsel conformed to the most appropriate standards of legal discourse. The apology tendered at the Bar is, therefore, accepted.

7. That said, however, I

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