Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday regarding the practice where different lawyers mention the same case multiple times for urgent hearings. He emphasized that such actions threaten his personal credibility and undermine the judicial process.
This criticism came to light during the Supreme Court’s daily proceedings when a lawyer sought an urgent listing for a case concerning the lapse of a mining lease. Chief Justice Chandrachud used this opportunity to address a broader issue affecting the court’s operations.
Highlighting a recurring tactic among legal professionals, CJI Chandrachud noted that lawyers often attempt to have their cases prioritized by repeatedly bringing them up through different advocates on various dates. “Stop this practice of repeated mentioning by different counsels. All of you are just trying to take a chance,” he stated, signaling a crackdown on such maneuvers.
The Chief Justice firmly stated, “Whatever little discretion I have as the Chief Justice will never be exercised in your favor, because there is an attempt to take this court for a ride.” He further elaborated on the manipulative strategy employed by some within the legal community, where changing counsel might lead to different judicial outcomes based on momentary lapses in oversight. “Get three different counsels and see… the judge blinks and you get an order. This is what is happening in this court. I will not do it. Because my personal credibility is at stake,” he remarked.
