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Supreme Court Registers Suo Motu Case Over Andhra Pradesh HC Lawyer-Custody Row

The move signals a rare top-court review of a judge’s treatment of a junior lawyer.

Overview

  • The Supreme Court, which on Friday converted the SCBA’s resolution into a writ petition, registered W.P.(C) No. 604/2026 and indicated a likely listing next week.
  • The case stems from proceedings before Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao where a young advocate was ordered into 24 hours’ judicial custody, with video showing the judge calling police and rebuking the lawyer.
  • The custody direction was later withdrawn after the Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocates’ Association mediated, and the group said the matter was amicably resolved.
  • In a May 6 resolution, the SCBA urged the CJI to act, calling the incident shocking and saying judges should show restraint and patience with young lawyers.
  • The Bar Council of India wrote to the CJI raising concern over the judge’s conduct and noting the recall, a record that could shape any guidance the top court issues on courtroom discipline.