Allahabad High Court Dismisses Advocate’s Malafide Plea, Imposes Pro Bono Service Penalty

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a writ petition by an advocate seeking a departmental inquiry against a UP Jal Nigam Assistant Engineer, terming it malicious and an abuse of process.

Justice Ajay Bhanot held the petitioner lacked locus standi, stressing that outsiders cannot interfere in service matters, which are safeguarded to protect government servants’ independence and morale.

The Court noted only an “aggrieved” party, not an “annoyed” one, can invoke writ jurisdiction.

Citing lawyers’ ethical responsibilities, it penalised the petitioner by directing him to assist the Gautam Budh Nagar trial court in five pro bono cases. Ongoing proceedings against the engineer remain unaffected.

(Sultan Choudhary v State Of U.P. & Others)