The Gauhati High Court has issued contempt notices to several lawyers, including the President of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA), acting on a plea filed by the Advocate General.

The Court found that the GHCBA President failed to take appropriate action against lawyers who made derogatory comments about a sitting judge, particularly in connection with the relocation of the High Court premises.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair termed the remarks made by the lawyers as “derogatory and contemptuous.”

The bench also expressed concern over the fact that the comments had been aired on news platforms and directed that such videos be taken down under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and Rules.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Court observed that criticism of the judiciary by members of the legal fraternity is especially unfortunate and undermines public confidence in the judicial system. It emphasized that ignoring actions that scandalize or lower the authority of the Court can erode the faith of millions in the institution.

The Court underlined that maintaining the dignity and authority of the judiciary is a shared responsibility—not just of the judges but also of the legal community and bar associations. Notably, the GHCBA President, who now faces contempt proceedings, had earlier sought the recusal of a judge over a social media interaction related to the case