In a heated moment during the Supreme Court’s hearing of petitions related to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud sternly reprimanded senior advocate Mathews Nedumpara for inappropriate conduct. The incident occurred when Nedumpara interrupted the arguments presented by another senior advocate, Narender Hooda.
As Hooda was making his submissions on behalf of one of the petitioners, Nedumpara interjected, “I have something to say.” Chief Justice Chandrachud immediately intervened, directing Nedumpara to hold his comments until after Hooda finished his presentation. However, Nedumpara retorted, “I am the seniormost here,” which visibly irked the Chief Justice.
In response to Nedumpara’s defiance, Chief Justice Chandrachud issued a sharp warning: “I am warning you. You will not speak to the gallery. I am in charge of the court. Call the security… have him removed.” Nedumpara briefly protested but soon announced his departure from the courtroom, to which the Chief Justice remarked, “You do not have to say that. You can leave. I have seen judiciary for the last 24 years. I cannot let lawyers dictate procedure in this court.”
The confrontation escalated when Nedumpara claimed his longstanding experience since 1979, prompting the Chief Justice to caution that he might issue a directive if Nedumpara continued his disruptive behavior.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the National Testing Agency (NTA), also condemned Nedumpara’s actions, labeling them as contemptuous. This episode marks another contentious interaction between Chief Justice Chandrachud and Nedumpara, following a similar disruption during a hearing on electoral bonds earlier this year.
In the earlier incident, when Nedumpara repeatedly interrupted proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud rebuked him, stating, “Don’t shout at me. This is not a Hyde Park corner meeting; you are in the court. You want to move an application, file an application. You have got my decision as Chief Justice; we are not hearing you. If you want to file an application, move it on the email. That’s the rule in this court.”
