The Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) has ignited serious debate over judicial ethics, calling for a formal investigation into a WhatsApp group known as the "Lawyers News Network," where Senior advocates, Advocates and sitting Judges of the High Court, sitting Judges of several Tribunals, Retired judges, sitting judges of the District Judiciary, government pleaders, prosecutors and journalists allegedly interact. Citing potential ethical violations, KHCAA President Mr. Yeshwanth Shenoy, in a letter to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice N M Jamdar, warned of the “reputational risks” the group poses to judicial integrity and transparency.

Mr. Shenoy’s letter paints a stark picture of the group’s influence. While WhatsApp groups among legal professionals are commonplace, the "Lawyers News Network" is different: it reportedly includes active and retired judicial officers and prominent media personnel, a setup that, according to KHCAA, opens “a breeding ground for potential conflicts of interest.” This unusual mix, Mr. Shenoy warned, risks undermining public trust in the judicial system, as “the mere presence of judicial officers in such a forum inadvertently lends credibility to the group’s operations.”

The KHCAA’s concerns escalated after an incident during its recent Annual Day celebration, a well-organized event that unfortunately turned contentious. According to Mr. Shenoy’s letter, the KHCAA had prior knowledge of potential disruptions and had requested enhanced security from the Kochi City Police Commissioner, which was duly provided. The event preceded peacefully; however, approximately 30 to 45 minutes after it ended, three members began verbally abusing a senior member of the association. The verbal assault quickly escalated into a physical altercation.

The KHCAA’s inquiry revealed that these disruptive individuals were uninvited guests who had allegedly been brought to the event on the invitation of Mansoor, the administrator of the "Lawyers News Network." Mr. Shenoy’s letter notes, “Many of these persons were part of the Lawyers News Network,” indicating premeditation. Furthermore, the incident was recorded by an unidentified videographer, leading the KHCAA to suspect that the disruption and its recording were orchestrated.

Following the altercation, KHCAA was troubled to find that a distorted version of the event was quickly shared on social media, reportedly with the involvement of Mansoor and other group members. The group’s administrators allegedly disseminated a “distorted and false” narrative about the incident, which was picked up by several news channels. The letter argues that this account aimed to discredit the KHCAA and harm the reputation of both advocates and the judiciary. The reputation of advocates and the Judiciary itself was brought down, Mr. Shenoy’s letter asserts.

Following the incident, misinformation about the event began to circulate, allegedly originating from the WhatsApp group. Videos and skewed accounts of the altercation were reportedly shared, casting the KHCAA and its members in a negative light. This led Mr. Shenoy asserts that the group functions as “a well-oiled network” of individuals who, through “fixers” and media connections, sought to influence public opinion and damage the reputation of KHCAA and the wider legal community.

The group’s alleged breaches go further, with claims of leaking sensitive judicial information. According to KHCAA’s findings, the group has allegedly shared unapproved court judgments, administrative orders, and even confidential collegium recommendations ahead of official publication. “This WhatsApp group is known for publishing judgments and administrative orders even before they are uploaded on the official website,” Mr. Shenoy’s letter states, further warning that such leaks are likely to persist “unless complete control is established with the Registry.” The KHCAA argued that these unauthorised leaks compromise both judicial integrity and the confidentiality of court procedures.

Another troubling aspect for KHCAA is the involvement of journalists, who allegedly contributed to circulating misleading information about the Annual Day incident. The letter notes that some journalists from well-known media outlets, including Madhyamam, used their platform to twist the narrative around the altercation, harming KHCAA’s reputation. The association has since submitted a list of suspected journalists' phone numbers to investigative authorities, aiming to substantiate these claims and reveal the extent of media complicity in the network’s activities.

The KHCAA’s letter calls upon Chief Justice Jamdar to initiate a full inquiry by the High Court’s Vigilance Department. In urging prompt action, Mr. Shenoy emphasised the importance of preserving judicial ethics and public trust. KHCAA also requested that judicial officers, particularly those in district courts, be directed to disassociate from such groups to prevent any appearance of partiality or misconduct. The association hinted that, if necessary, it may escalate the matter to the Chief Justice of India, calling for a renewed look at the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life, the judiciary’s ethical code, to curb any potential ethical lapses linked to social media.

The KHCAA’s letter concludes with a strong appeal to the Chief Justice, emphasizing the urgency of immediate intervention. “The KHCAA humbly requests your goodself to set up an inquiry by the vigilance department of the High Court and to satisfy itself that there is no harm done to the Judicial institution,” Mr. Shenoy writes. He further requests that “strict directions [be given] to the judicial officers of the district judiciary to keep themselves away from such groups.” In closing, the letter highlights the KHCAA’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of the judiciary, stating that swift action is essential to restore public confidence and uphold the legal community's integrity.

The Letter sent to the Chief Justice by KHCAA.