The Bar Council of Kerala, in a recent meeting, has decided to issue a show-cause notice to Advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy, who currently holds the position of President of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. The notice follows a Facebook post made by Shenoy, which criticized Justice T.R. Ravi of the Kerala High Court.
The Bar Council has asked Advocate Shenoy to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his online remarks targeting the sitting judge. The Council took note of the incident during its meeting held on the same day the post was made public.
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The issue started when Justice T.R. Ravi dismissed a petition filed by Advocate Shenoy. The petition was filed to challenge the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against him that were initiated by the Bar Council of Kerala. These proceedings relate to alleged misconduct by Advocate Shenoy in the courtroom of a former judge.
Following the dismissal of his petition, Advocate Shenoy took to Facebook, posting a critical statement about the judge's order, which reportedly led to the Bar Council’s action.
“This act, on the face of it, appears to be in violation of professional conduct rules,” the Bar Council observed during its meeting.
The Council’s move to issue a show-cause notice indicates its concern over maintaining the dignity of the judiciary and upholding the expected standards of professional behavior among lawyers.
The Bar Council, as the governing body for advocates in Kerala, holds the authority to initiate disciplinary action against its members for any professional misconduct. The notice to Advocate Shenoy is the first formal step in such proceedings, giving him the opportunity to present his side.
“The sanctity of court proceedings and respect for judicial officers is non-negotiable,” the Council emphasized in its internal note.
Advocate Shenoy, a prominent figure in the Kerala legal community, has not yet publicly responded to the show-cause notice. However, the development has sparked conversation in legal circles about the limits of free speech for advocates, especially on public platforms like social media.
The disciplinary case that Advocate Shenoy had earlier challenged was already under consideration by the Council. With this new development, the spotlight has now shifted to the implications of lawyers criticizing sitting judges on social media, which can potentially amount to professional misconduct.
The Bar Council’s show-cause notice is a procedural step that allows the lawyer to reply and present a defense before any final decision on disciplinary action is taken.
The matter is currently under the Council’s consideration, and further updates are expected after a reply is received from Advocate Shenoy.
