India, May 1 -- The Madras high court has dismissed petitions by a group of advocates seeking to quash proceedings initiated against them by a magistrate in Madurai for alleged misconduct in court, saying the law gives courts "immediate powers to protect the institution" when something disrupts or undermines proceedings.

In an April 30 order, Justice L Victoria Gowri of the high court's Madurai bench stressed the need to maintain discipline. Justice Gowri said the proceedings raised issues of institutional importance concerning the relationship between the Bar and the Bench that did not warrant any interference.

Advocates, including office bearers and members of a local Bar Association, challenged show cause notices issued to them by th...