KHCAA complains about insensitive treatment of lawyers by Justice A Badharudeen; calls for video recording of courts

The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) on Friday wrote a strongly worded letter to Kerala High Court Chief Justice AJ Desai taking exception to the conduct of sitting judge Justice A Badharudeen towards the Bar..The letter claimed that several lawyers have complained about Justice Badharudeen's conduct in court which they claimed to be humiliating and insensitive, the latest being the episode towards advocate Jayakumar Namboodiri TV who was refused adjournment despite a serious back injury.To curb unbecoming conduct from both bar and bench, KHCAA urged the Chief Justice to implement mandatory video recording of proceedings in all courts rooms.Until such time as that is done, the association advised its members to record court hearings by themselves. .The KHCAA's letter was triggered by a complaint it received from advocate Namboodiri alleging that Justice A Badharudeen refused to adjourn his matter even though he requested it citing a doctor's appointment to address a serious back injury.In its letter to the Chief Justice, the KHCAA said that the bar is enraged by the incident.It was pointed out that advocates have always cooperated when judges hold hearings in their chambers due to their health concerns. Pertinently, it was alleged that Justice Badharudeen on one occasion published supplementary lists at 10:30 am and posted several cases in the list even though court begins at 10:15 am. Advocates representing the parties in those cases were not informed of the same and the judge also dismissed those cases stating that there was no representation. This happened when Justice Badharudeen was assigned bail matters, the letter stated. .The letter also mentioned about recent protests by lawyers in a Kottayam Magistrate Court which led to contempt of court action being initiated against 29 lawyers involved in the incident.However, the conduct of the magistrate prior to the incident as well as the conduct of several other judges have not received any attention, KHCAA contended..The Association stated that it has resolved not to indulge in strikes, boycotts or protests and that it hopes that the Chief Justice would counsel Justice Badharudeen to deal with advocates with more sensitivity. It also assured the Chief Justice of its co-operation in dealing with the matter.