Protest from lawyers intensifies in Jaiur against Ashok Gehlot’s remarks over judiciary

JAIPUR: Protests have intensified across Rajasthan following remarks made by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about the judiciary. Legal proceedings from the High Court to several lower courts came to a halt as lawyers, expressing their dissent against Gehlot’s comments, have boycotted their duties for the day.

The widespread boycott by lawyers has significantly disrupted the court’s functioning. They are demanding an unconditional apology from CM Gehlot, accusing him of showing disrespect towards the judiciary with his statements.

कल मैंने ज्यूडिशियरी के करप्शन को लेकर जो कहा वो मेरी निजी राय नहीं हैं। मैंने हमेशा ज्यूडिशियरी का सम्मान एवं उस पर विश्वास किया है। समय-समय पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट के अनेकों रिटायर्ड न्यायाधीशों व रिटायर्ड मुख्य न्यायाधीशों तक ने ज्यूडिशियरी में भ्रष्टाचार पर टिप्पणयां की हैं एवं उस…

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 31, 2023

A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed against him in the High Court. Advocate Shivcharan Gupta, who filed the PIL, stated that Gehlot’s comments negatively reflect on the judiciary’s reputation and can be construed as contemptuous. He urged the High Court to recognize this as a breach under Article 215 of the Constitution and to penalize Gehlot accordingly. Gupta also requested a prompt hearing on the matter.

After Gehlot’s controversial statement, lawyers have been continually voicing their dissent. The lawyers symbolically protested by burning his effigy within the High Court’s premises. Demonstrations took place today at Jaipur’s sessions court where lawyers called for an immediate apology from the Chief Minister.

Yogendra Singh Tanwar, the former Bar Council of Rajasethan Vice President, penned a letter to the Rajasthan High Court’s Chief Justice in response to the Chief Minister’s remarks. In his letter, Tanwar emphasized that Gehlot’s public assertions accusing the judiciary of corruption have tarnished its standing. He added that such comments not only damage the judiciary’s reputation but also impede the legal system’s seamless operation. Tanwar has appealed to the Chief Justice to consider this letter as a formal criminal complaint.

On Wednesday, while addressing the media, Chief Minister Gehlot had remarked about widespread corruption within the judiciary. He claimed knowledge of lawyers who allegedly draft their own judgments. He underscored the gravity of the situation in both the lower and higher judicial ranks, urging the nation to reflect on this issue.

Gehlot confirmed the corruption allegations leveled by BJP MLA Kailash Meghwal against Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Gehlot alleged that during Arjun Ram Meghwal’s tenure, corruption was rampant but concealed, and those involved managed to secure a stay from the High Court.