TAMIL NADU ADVOCATES’ ‘ASSOCIATION Madras High Court Cartpus, Chennai-600104 S&PRABAKARAN SENIOR ADVOCATE President STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE LAPSE OF PROTOCOL TO THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA Mr. B.R. GAVAI
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[19/05, 20:45] sekarreporter1: TAMIL NADU ADVOCATES’ ‘ASSOCIATION
Madras High Court Cartpus, Chennai-600104
S&PRABAKARAN
SENIOR ADVOCATE President
STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE LAPSE OF PROTOCOL TO THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA Mr. B.R. GAVAI
l. The Tamil Nadu Advocates Association is expressing its displeasure over the protocol lapse during the event organized by the State Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa to felicitate the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Mr.
B.R. Gavai, on assuming office. The absence of three senior officials of the State of Maharashtra is gravely concerning. The absence of the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the Mumbai City Police Commissioner is highly condemnable and constitutes a direct lapse of protocol in welcoming the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India.
2. The entire legal fraternity and our Association are deeply saddened and shocked by the lapse of protocol committed by the senior executive authorities of the State of Maharashtra. The State Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa had felicitated Hon ‘ble Mr. Justice B.R. Gavai on his assuming the office of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India. His Lordship adorning the seat of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India is a matter of pride and great joy for the numerous lawyers practicing in this noble profession. In such circumstances, the protocol lapse by the top executive authorities of the State of Maharashtra is deeply worrisome and of serious concern to the legal fraternity.
TAMIL NADU ADVOCATES’ •ASSOCIATION
(Madras High Court Carnpus, Chennai-600104
S,PRABAKARAN
SENIOR ADVOCATE
President
3. The judiciary is one of the main organs of democracy, and it must work in coordination with the other two organs, the executive and the legislature. It is a longstanding tradition that mutual respect is maintained among these three organs for the effective administration of the nation. However, the recent lapse of protocol in welcoming the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India undermines the very essence of democracy and its foundational principle of the separation of powers. For each organ of democracy to function effectively, mutual respect is essential. This is precisely why the traditional practice of receiving the head of a particular branch of government upon their arrival in a State is followed.
4. In fact, we take this opportunity to recall that on all previous occasions, whenever the Hon ‘ble Chief Justice of India entered a State for an official function, the highest executive authorities of that State have always welcomed the Hon’ble Chief Justice as a mark of respect. This traditional practice has consistently been followed and must continue to be observed for the effective functioning of our democracy. In earlier visits by previous Chief Justices of India including Hon’ble Mr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana these protocols were duly followed, especially when the Chief Justice was visiting the State from which he hails. This gesture of respect has always been maintained without deviation. However, the present lapse that occurred in the State of
TAMIL NADU ADVOCATES’ ‘ASSOCIATIOh
IVIadras High Court Carnpus, Chennai-600104
S.PRABAKARAN
SENIOR ADVOCATE President
Maharashtra is nothing short of demeaning to the majesty of the judiciary.
Therefore, on behalf of the entire legal fraternity, we humbly urge the Government of Maharashtra to take appropriate steps to ensure that such lapses in protocol do not recur in the future.
5. We further demand that the State Government. of Maharashtra initiate appropriate disciplinary action against the erring officials responsible for the lapse in protocol, and we hope they will be held accountable for the same.
