Nashik Bar Association Lawyers Warn of Court Shutdown Over Judge Conduct.

The Nashik District Court may face serious disruption after the Nashik Bar Association filed a complaint against five judges, alleging misconduct and unfair courtroom practices. Representing over 3,000 lawyers, the Bar warned of abstaining from court work on February 2, 2026, if corrective steps are not taken. The situation has raised concerns about delays in hearings and the impact on litigants seeking timely justice.

Nashik District Court Crisis Looms as Bar Association Accuses Judges of Misconduct

An exclusive complaint by the Nashik Bar Association accuses five judges of misconduct, intimidation, and procedural irregularities, warning of work abstention on February 2, 2026, unless corrective action is taken, raising fears of disruption in Nashik District Court functioning.

Nashik District and Sessions Court faces the possibility of an unprecedented work disruption after the Nashik Bar Association submitted a formal written complaint against five judicial officers, alleging misconduct, arbitrariness, and unlawful courtroom practices.

The complaint, submitted to Principal District and Sessions Judge S.D. Jagmalani, represents the collective grievance of nearly 3,000 to 3,500 practising advocates at the Nashik District Court complex.

According to the Bar Association, persistent issues in judicial functioning have created an atmosphere of fear, disrespect, and professional obstruction, prompting lawyers to consider abstaining from court work on February 2, 2026.

The lawyers’ body has warned that unless corrective measures are immediately implemented, judicial functioning in several courts could be severely affected, impacting litigants and access to justice across Nashik district.

Bar Association Alleges Arbitrary Conduct by Judges

The written complaint names five judges, accusing them of arbitrary, high-handed, and legally questionable conduct during court proceedings, adversely affecting advocates, litigants, and court staff.

The judges named include District Judge-2 and Additional Sessions Judge R.M. Pandhare, Senior Division District Judge-1 R.S. Kanade, Joint Civil Judge S.D. Hiwale, Joint Civil Judge S.S. Bangad, and Joint Civil Judge S.K. Devkar.

The Bar Association has demanded that these judges conduct hearings with due seriousness, judicial propriety, and respect for advocates, failing which their immediate transfer has been sought.

Lawyers allege that most cases before these courts are routinely dismissed, with insufficient hearing, raising concerns about denial of fair trial and violation of procedural safeguards.

Allegations of Intimidation, Heavy Costs, and Disrespect

Advocates have alleged that some judges frequently use rude, intimidating, and aggressive language while addressing lawyers, creating a hostile courtroom environment incompatible with judicial decorum.

It is further alleged that applications for adjournments, even on genuine grounds, attract excessive monetary costs without consideration of litigants’ financial capacity or case circumstances.

Such orders, lawyers claim, are issued arbitrarily, discouraging legal representation and placing undue financial burdens on ordinary litigants seeking justice through lawful means.

These practices, according to the Bar Association, erode public confidence in the judiciary and undermine the dignity of the legal profession.

Courtroom Functioning and Procedural Irregularities Flagged

Specific complaints have been raised regarding the courtroom practices of Judge S.D. Hiwale, where the “unready board” is allegedly called at 11 a.m., and matters are adjourned mechanically.

Advocates claim that files are not made available for inspection, preventing lawyers from taking procedural steps, and matters are deferred without granting effective hearing opportunities.

In Judge R.M. Pandhare’s court, lawyers allege extreme discourtesy, including verbal abuse of advocates, court staff, and police personnel during proceedings.

The complaint further alleges incidents of files being thrown at staff, refusal to hear submissions, and granting distant dates without considering case urgency or litigants’ circumstances.

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Delayed Timings, Threats, and Junior Advocate Harassment

Judge S.S. Bangad is accused of consistently arriving late on the dais, sometimes as late as 12:30 p.m., significantly reducing effective court working hours.

Advocates allege irresponsible behaviour, rushed hearings, and threats to close files if lawyers request reasonable accommodation or time, fostering fear among litigants and junior advocates.

Serious allegations have also been made against Judge S.K. Devkar, including intimidation of junior lawyers and imposition of disproportionate costs in routine matters.

Lawyers allege that oral arguments are often refused, with insistence on written submissions, citing lack of time, thereby restricting effective advocacy.

Previous Complaints and Unresolved Red Flags

The Bar Association has pointed out that concerns were earlier communicated to Bombay High Court Judge Sarang Kotwal, both orally and via email, without any response to date.

Adding to institutional concern, Sprouts News had reported in July 2025 that a case file in an extortion matter had mysteriously gone missing from the Nashik court premises.

The file reportedly resurfaced within hours of the report, raising questions about record management and internal accountability within the judicial system.

The Bar Association has urged immediate administrative intervention to restore professional dignity, judicial discipline, and smooth court functioning.

Lawyers have stressed that unless urgent corrective action is taken, the situation may escalate into a full-fledged judicial crisis, severely affecting litigants and public faith in justice delivery.

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