Yatin Narendra Oza v. High Court of Gujarat
Background
Yatin Narendra Oza, a long-serving advocate and former President of the Gujarat High Court Bar Association who had been designated a Senior Advocate, made public allegations against the judiciary, including a letter to the Chief Justice of India, WhatsApp messages calling the High Court a "Gamblers Den," and statements at a press conference casting aspersions on judges. A Full Bench of the Gujarat High Court unanimously withdrew his Senior Advocate designation after finding his belated apology (offered 41 days later) insincere. He challenged this withdrawal before the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court held that the Senior Advocate designation is a "privilege," not a "right," so its withdrawal did not infringe any fundamental right and ordinarily would not be interfered with under Article 32. However, exercising its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Court decided to give the petitioner "one more and last chance" by temporarily restoring his Senior Advocate designation for two years starting 1 January 2022. It left it to the Gujarat High Court to monitor his conduct during this period and decide whether to make the restoration permanent, continue it, or withdraw it again if he misbehaves.
Lesson Learnt
A professional privilege like a Senior Advocate "silk" is not an absolute right and can be withdrawn for serious misconduct such as publicly attacking judges' integrity; courts may still show leniency through equitable relief, but such relief comes with strict behavioral conditions and is not a guarantee of permanent restoration.