The Calcutta High Court has referred the conduct of a learned counsel to the Bar Council of West Bengal after the Court found that the counsel had incorporated the name of the alleged contemnor into the Court’s order sheet instead of the cause title of the contempt application
The order was passed by Justice Suvra Ghosh in Noor Alam & Ors. v. Ms. Debahuti Indra, in CPAN No. 214 of 2025 arising out of WPA No. 17592 of 2022.
The applicants/petitioners had earlier been granted liberty, by an order dated September 9, 2026, to correct the name of the alleged contemnor in the cause title of the contempt application.
However, according to the High Court, the learned counsel instead incorporated the name into the Court’s order sheet dated August 24, 2026. The counsel reportedly explained the act by claiming ignorance.
The Court expressed strong concern over the alteration, describing the situation as “extremely shocking.” It observed that an advocate should be able to distinguish between a Court order sheet and the cause title of an application.
The Court stated, “A learned counsel who is not able to distinguish an order sheet of the Court from the cause title of the application is a threat to the discipline, dignity and sanctity of the institution.”
The Court further held that the conduct warranted treatment as professional misconduct and said the matter required action by the Bar Council of West Bengal.
The High Court requested its Registrar General to place the issue before the Bar Council of West Bengal for necessary steps under the Advocates Act, 1961.
A copy of the order, the tampered order sheet and the September 9, 2026 order was directed to be sent to the Registrar General. The Registrar General was also asked to keep the Court informed about the steps taken by the Bar Council.
Case Title: Noor Alam & Ors. v. Ms. Debahuti Indra
Case Number: CPAN No. 214 of 2025
In: WPA No. 17592 of 2022Judge: Justice Suvra Ghosh
