In Brief

An Advocate-on-Record made false allegations that the Court's Registry had collusively and hastily listed a case before a special bench to facilitate 'bench hunting' in favour of the opposite party. The Court found the allegations baseless: the listing followed a prior judicial direction to hear the matter finally. The advocate's intent was to shift the case from the constituted bench. Although he later tendered an unconditional apology, the Court held his conduct was deliberate misconduct, undertaken only after the sitting advocate-on-record refused cooperation. The Court suspended him from practicing as an Advocate-on-Record for one month, emphasizing that the advocate's duty to the Court is primary and superior to client interest, and that institutional integrity cannot be sacrificed for litigation advantage.

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