The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Allahabad High Court's order directing advocate Mehmood Pracha to pay ₹1 lakh in costs. The High Court had imposed the penalty for forum shopping and for appearing in court in a lawyer's robe and band, even though he was acting as a petitioner in-person.
A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a limited notice to examine whether the adverse remarks made by the High Court against advocate Mehmood Pracha should be expunged.
"Issue notice for the limited purpose as to why the observations made by the High Court against the petitioner be not expunged and why the order imposing cost be not set aside, returnable on 09.12.2024. 2. Meanwhile, impugned order dated 10.09.2024 to the extent of imposition of cost shall remain stayed," the Court directed.
However, the Allahabad High Court raised concerns, describing Pracha’s actions as 'forum shopping' and objecting to his attire, ultimately dismissing the plea and imposing costs, citing that his conduct had wasted the court's 'precious time.'
The Supreme Court has now stayed the order imposing costs on Pracha and instructed him not to pursue the main case further in the High Court for the time being.
Advocates Tasneem Ahmadi, RHA Sikander, Jatin Bhatt, Sanawar, Kshitij Singh, Mahima Rathi, Pragya Rathi, Nujhat Naseem and Sadiya Sultan appeared for Pracha before Supreme Court.
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