A collective demonstration by lawyers for a selfish cause that brings disrepute to judges and courts in general does not augur well for a democratic country like ours (“Lawyers lay siege to Madras High Court”, July 26). The sanctity of a courtroom must be respected without questioning and errant lawyers who mar its pristine image by being unruly in attitude and behaviour should be restrained. Doctors, teachers and lawyers belong to a group of professionals who must always lead by example.
N. Visveswaran,Chennai
It is bad enough that the wheels of justice move very slowly in India. Therefore, it is disheartening that advocates/lawyers in Tamil Nadu are behaving in a manner that is making the situation worse. It is evident that there is no such thing as upholding ethics in the profession. As an ordinary reader interested in reading about judicial matters, I can hardly recollect an instance where there has been such disruption. I recall a senior legal luminary regretting that a significant percentage of the judiciary was corrupt with no preventive measures being initiated. Practices such as browbeating or abusing judges, laying siege to court halls, tampering with court records, appearing in court under the influence of liquor, spreading unsubstantial allegations against judges or accepting money in the name of the judge or on the pretext of influencing him — for which the amendments in Rule 14, on professional standards, were brought in — must be curtailed.
Baby Harline J.,Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu
Lawyers who are true to their work will never have a problem with any sort of rule. No one who is sensible will term these rules as being against the basic rights of lawyers. The protests are a reflection of the lack of respect that has been prevalent in the judiciary all this while. The High Court should not cave in and must take stringent action. There is no reason why the public, especially litigants, should be made to suffer.
Sowmesh Chandran,Chennai
