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Meghalaya High Court issues contempt notices to bar association heads for halting court work
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 09 Oct 2026, 12:03 PM
👁 13
The Meghalaya High Court has served contempt notices to leaders of the state bar association after they stopped appearing for judicial duties, citing concerns over workload.
The Meghalaya High Court on Monday issued contempt notices to senior officials of the Meghalaya State Bar Association. The notices were sent after the association’s leaders collectively refrained from appearing before the court, alleging that the volume of cases was overwhelming.
In its order, the bench warned that willful non‑cooperation with the judicial process constitutes contempt of court and may attract punitive measures, including fines or imprisonment. The court emphasized that the duty of lawyers to attend proceedings cannot be abandoned on the grounds of workload.
The bar association has not yet released an official response to the contempt notices. Legal experts note that such actions are rare and reflect the court’s intent to ensure the smooth functioning of the judicial system in the state.
If the association fails to comply, the High Court may proceed with further contempt proceedings, which could set a precedent for handling similar disputes between the bench and the legal fraternity in Meghalaya.
In its order, the bench warned that willful non‑cooperation with the judicial process constitutes contempt of court and may attract punitive measures, including fines or imprisonment. The court emphasized that the duty of lawyers to attend proceedings cannot be abandoned on the grounds of workload.
The bar association has not yet released an official response to the contempt notices. Legal experts note that such actions are rare and reflect the court’s intent to ensure the smooth functioning of the judicial system in the state.
If the association fails to comply, the High Court may proceed with further contempt proceedings, which could set a precedent for handling similar disputes between the bench and the legal fraternity in Meghalaya.