Shillong, Nov 17 (IANS): The Shillong High Court Bar Association Monday demanded the removal of Uma Nath Singh as acting chief justice of the Meghalaya High Court for allegedly threatening senior lawyers in court.

Hundreds of lawyers assembled at the Bar premises Monday afternoon and decided to submit a petition to Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu informing him about the "abusive nature" of Uma Nath Singh and that he should be removed.

"The house was disturbed and it deplored the abusive nature and behaviour of Justice Singh towards the senior advocates as well as junior members of the bar. The association was disturbed in the manner the proceedings of the court are being conducted by Justice Singh," bar association president V.G.K. Kynta told journalists.

He said the acting chief justice in an open court Nov 14 threatened to strip and take away the gowns of senior lawyers, and also threatened to initiate criminal contempt and put them behind bars and destroy their career.

When journalists went to Justice Singh's office to seek his comments on the allegations, he was not available in his office chamber.

Kynta said the association will also submit a petition to Chief Justice Dattu, Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to inform them about the bad experiences and difficulties faced by the bar members.

However, the association has decided not to resort to any agitation.

Justice Singh took oath as a judge of the Meghalaya High Court Aug 27 and was later appointed acting chief justice.