Allahabad High Court Orders Probe into Criminal Cases Against Advocates Across Uttar Pradesh
Court says lawyers with criminal antecedents’ harm judiciary’s credibility and must be scrutinized
DGP asked to submit statewide data on pending cases against advocates within fixed timeline
By Our Legal Reporter
New Delhi: December 02, 2025
In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of the legal profession, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh and the Director General of Prosecution to furnish comprehensive statewide data on criminal cases pending against advocates. The Court observed that the functioning of the district judiciary has been “adversely affected” by the conduct of certain lawyers with criminal antecedents.
The order was passed by Justice Vinod Diwakar while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Kafeel, a practicing advocate registered with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh since 2022. The Court’s directive has sparked debate on professional ethics, judicial credibility, and the need for accountability within the legal fraternity.
Background of the Case
The petition before the Court raised concerns about advocates facing serious criminal charges who continue to practice law and even occupy leadership positions in District Bar Associations. The Court noted that such practices undermine the credibility of the judiciary and erode public trust in the legal system.
Invoking its supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution, the Court directed the DGP to collect and submit details of all pending criminal cases against advocates across Uttar Pradesh. This data will help the judiciary assess the scale of the problem and consider corrective measures.
Court’s Observations
The Allahabad High Court made several critical observations:
- Threat to Rule of Law: Lawyers with criminal antecedents practicing in courts pose a serious threat to the rule of law.
- Adverse Impact on Judiciary: The functioning of district courts is being compromised by advocates facing serious charges.
- Positions of Authority: Many such advocates hold influential positions in Bar Associations, further undermining judicial credibility.
- Need for Transparency: Comprehensive data is essential to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
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Justice Diwakar emphasized that the judiciary cannot remain silent when its credibility is at stake.
Wider Context: Advocates and Criminal Antecedents
This ruling comes amid growing concerns about professional ethics in the legal fraternity:
- Bar Council Regulations: While the Bar Council of India regulates professional conduct, enforcement against advocates with criminal backgrounds has been inconsistent.
- Public Trust: Citizens expect lawyers to uphold the law, not violate it. Advocates facing serious charges weaken public faith in justice.
- Judicial Integrity: Courts rely on advocates to assist in delivering justice. Criminal antecedents compromise this role.
Similar concerns have been raised in other states, but the Allahabad High Court’s directive is among the strongest steps taken to address the issue.
Implications of the Ruling
The Court’s directive has several implications:
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- Statewide Probe: The DGP must collect data from all districts, creating a comprehensive picture of criminal cases against advocates.
- Potential Disciplinary Action: Once data is furnished, the Bar Council may initiate disciplinary proceedings against errant advocates.
- Strengthening Rule of Law: The move reinforces the principle that no one, including lawyers, is above the law.
- Public Confidence: Transparency will help restore faith in the judiciary and legal profession.
Expert Views
Legal experts have welcomed the ruling as a necessary step to protect judicial integrity. According to practitioners:
- The directive will expose the scale of criminal antecedents among advocates.
- It will push the Bar Council to take stronger disciplinary action.
- It sends a clear message that professional ethics cannot be compromised.
However, some caution that due process must be followed to ensure that advocates are not unfairly targeted based on pending cases alone.
Conclusion
The Allahabad High Court’s directive to the DGP to furnish details of criminal cases pending against advocates across Uttar Pradesh marks a turning point in the debate on professional ethics in the legal fraternity. By highlighting the threat posed by lawyers with criminal antecedents, the Court has reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability, and credibility in the justice system.
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As the DGP prepares to submit statewide data, the ruling is expected to trigger disciplinary action, strengthen the rule of law, and restore public confidence in the judiciary. For advocates, the message is clear: upholding the law is not optional—it is fundamental to the profession.
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