The Supreme Court has expressed strong disapproval of the conduct of certain lawyers from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, stating that their actions have brought disrepute to the legal profession. The Court noted that behaviour involving violence and intimidation is incompatible with the ethical standards expected from advocates.
The matter originated from an incident on January 14, 2026, at a toll plaza along the Lucknow–Sultanpur highway. A disagreement reportedly broke out when a lawyer declined to pay the toll, which escalated into a confrontation with toll staff. Following the altercation, some employees were taken into custody.
The situation escalated further when the local Bar Association allegedly decided not to represent the detained workers. When one lawyer chose to act independently and filed a bail application for them, he faced backlash. Reports indicated that his office was attacked and damaged, with parts of it even set on fire.
Hearing the case, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that while professional unity among lawyers is not unusual, it cannot be used as a shield for unlawful actions. The Court stressed that intimidation and obstruction directly weaken the justice system.
The Court also highlighted that the accused workers were effectively deprived of legal assistance due to the hostile environment. As a result, they had to approach the Supreme Court for relief. It found their continued detention—extending beyond two months—unwarranted and a violation of their right to personal liberty.
In its decision, the Supreme Court granted bail to the workers and ordered that the trial be shifted to Delhi to ensure fairness. It also directed authorities to provide necessary protection to the accused after their release.
Additionally, the Court called upon the Bar Council of India to examine the incident and take disciplinary measures against those responsible. Emphasising the seriousness of the issue, the Court remarked that such acts of misconduct strike at the very foundation of the legal system.
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