Karnataka High Court Flags Dangerous Trend of Litigants Filing Criminal Cases Against Opposite Party’s Lawyers

The Karnataka High Court has flagged a dangerous trend of litigants implicating lawyers representing the opposite side in criminal cases to deter them from appearing in matters.

The Court observed that such complaints are often based on improbable or imaginary allegations and pose a chilling effect on the legal profession. It held that advocates cannot be dragged into criminal proceedings merely for discharging their professional duty of representing clients.

The Court directed that before registering a crime against a lawyer, the police must conduct a peripheral inquiry to examine the nature and credibility of the allegations.

Granting relief, the Court stayed the investigation against a lawyer who was implicated solely for representing the opposing party.