The High Court Bar Association of Meghalaya and the Shillong Bar Association have resolved to abstain from judicial work across the state from Tuesday until Advocate General Amit Kumar is removed from office.

The associations, however, clarified that bail matters will remain exempt from the boycott.

In a resolution adopted on Monday and signed by High Court Bar Association Secretary General K.C. Gautam and Shillong Bar Association Secretary T.L. Jyrwa, the two bodies alleged that Kumar’s actions and conduct had adversely affected the dignity, welfare and interests of the Bar.

The associations also expressed displeasure with the State Government, alleging that it had shown no willingness to engage with them or address their demand for Kumar’s removal.

Dispute Began After Alleged Molestation of Law Intern

The controversy dates back to the end of July, when a law intern was allegedly molested by a senior advocate.

Following the allegation, members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) allegedly dragged the accused advocate out of his chamber and paraded him publicly. The incident subsequently came before the Meghalaya High Court.

During a hearing on August 3, Advocate General Amit Kumar reportedly submitted that the Bar associations had failed to adequately protect women members and ensure a safe working environment.

The Bar associations strongly objected to the remarks, describing them as a sweeping and false aspersion against the Bar.

Over 400 Advocates Remove AG From Bar Rolls

On August 5, more than 400 advocates participated in a joint extraordinary general meeting and resolved to strike Amit Kumar off the rolls of both Bar associations.

They also resolved that their members would no longer recognise him as Advocate General and submitted a representation to the Chief Minister seeking his removal.

Kumar subsequently expressed “sincere regrets”, maintaining that his remarks were intended to highlight institutional shortcomings rather than malign the Bar.

However, the associations did not accept the statement as an apology.

The Advocate General also maintained that while the Bar associations could terminate his membership, they did not have the authority to remove him as Advocate General, since appointment to the constitutional office is within the prerogative of the State Government.

Supreme Court Bar Association Intervention

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) subsequently appealed to the Meghalaya Bar bodies to withdraw their resolution, terming action against Kumar over submissions made before the court unwarranted.

The local Bar associations rejected the appeal and maintained that they would not be pressured into withdrawing their stand.

The dispute escalated further, with lawyers boycotting courts and holding a protest march in Shillong on August 27. Protesters reportedly burnt an effigy and carried placards demanding that Kumar “go back to Delhi.”

The associations also objected to outside lawyers being engaged for State-related legal work.

The Tura Bar Association later joined the boycott.

On August 29, representatives of the associations met Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, following the Chief Minister's public defence of the Advocate General.

Boycott Now Open-Ended

Monday's resolution has now transformed the earlier protest into an open-ended abstention from judicial work in courts and tribunals across Meghalaya.

The associations have made it clear that the boycott will continue until the State Government takes action on their demand for the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar, with bail matters remaining outside the scope of the protest.