The Allahabad High Court today voiced grave concern regarding the disturbance caused by supporters of candidates participating in the upcoming elections of the High Court Bar Association, who were heard shouting slogans within the court corridors.

During a hearing at 12:50 pm, the bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Kshitij Shailendra observed that the volume of slogans being shouted by supporters had escalated to such a level that it disrupted the court proceedings, rendering it difficult for the court to conduct the case due to the excessive noise emanating from both sides of the courtroom.

The court emphasized that in light of the upcoming elections of the Bar Association set to occur on April 3, 2024, the Model Code of Conduct had been issued by the Returning Officers. This code explicitly prohibits activities such as the shouting of slogans within court premises.

Furthermore, the bench unequivocally stated that any instance of slogan shouting intended to disrupt the administration of justice cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

The bench also asserted that irrespective of the circumstances, any form of slogan shouting aimed at interfering with the administration of justice cannot be condoned. As a result, the court took a serious stance on the matter and requested the presence of the Returning Officers following the midday recess. Furthermore, it recommended the attendance of a representative from the Elders' Committee during the proceedings.

Additionally, the court directed the Registrar (Protocol) to preserve the CCTV footage of today's incident to be presented before it.

"The Registry shall identify the persons who were involved in slogans shouting and creating ruckus in the corridors of this Court, disturbing the functioning," the court ordered, scheduling the matter for further discussion after the midday recess.