During a Supreme Court hearing, what began as a routine legal argument took a surprising turn when Justice Hrishikesh Roy offered a lawyer 30 seconds to speak about anything except his case—prompting a light-hearted exchange about cricket instead of court matters. The court was handling a petition challenging the framing of charges in a criminal case, which had been upheld by three lower courts.
As the lawyer pressed for a brief opportunity to present his arguments, Justice Roy responded playfully, “Okay, we will give you 30 seconds, but we are dismissing your petition right away.” After the formal dismissal of the petition, Justice Roy, known for his humorous courtroom demeanor, invited the lawyer to switch topics: “Now, you have your 30 seconds. Tell us anything apart from your case. Let’s talk cricket, perhaps? What went wrong in Australia with our cricket team?”
Caught off-guard, the lawyer struggled to shift from legal arguments to sports commentary. Justice Roy continued to encourage the change in conversation, highlighting his intention to lighten the mood amidst the day’s heavy legal proceedings.
While the lawyer didn’t seize the moment to discuss cricket, the interaction underscored Justice Roy’s approach to bringing a sense of levity to the courtroom. Justice SVN Bhatti, who was also on the bench, explained the judicial reasoning behind their decision not to intervene in the case, noting the consistency of findings across lower courts.
This incident is a reminder of how Justice Roy has often incorporated humor into his sessions, a trait that has made him a beloved figure among his peers, including former Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, who appreciated Roy’s efforts to end hearings on a lighter note. As Justice Roy prepares for his upcoming retirement on January 31, this unique courtroom moment serves as a testament to his legacy of blending wit with judicial wisdom.
