Must stop when Hon’ble judges walk past: Allahabad High Court diktat for office bearers

Allahabad High Court registrar asks all court officers to pay ‘highest respect’ to judges as they walk the corridors of the court.

File image of Allahabad High Court | Commons

New Delhi: The registrar of the Allahabad High Court has issued a stern advisory to officials and law bearers of the HC to pay the “highest respect” to judges as they walk the corridors of the court.

On Wednesday, the registrar general of the high court issued the advisory cautioning officials to wait until the judges have crossed whenever they move through court galleries, as a mark of respect.

“It has often been noticed that while Hon’ble Judges pass through the galleries for sitting in Court and also retiring to Their Lordship’s Chambers, the officials/officers passing in the way do no stop to wait for the Hon’ble Judges to cross them, which is clearly an act of disrespect,” the notice read.

“It is, therefore, directed that the officers/officials while passing through the galleries meant for the movement of the Hon’ble Judges shall stop whenever they see that the Hon’ble Judges are passing through the galleries and pay the highest respect to Their Lordships,” said the directive.

It added that any deviation “shall be viewed seriously”.

The advisory was sent after the issue of conduct of court officials and other officers was brought to the registrar general’s notice.

Other such courts

A similar etiquette is in practice at the Supreme Court as well. When a top court judge arrives in or passes by the galleries, all those seated are required to stand in respect and wait for the judge to pass through.

At the Madras High Court too, mace-bearers are reportedly employed to march before judges so that they announce his arrival to the people who can then halt wherever they are till the judge has made his way across.