CJI slams lawyers for shouting, creating a ‘fish market’ in court room

“What kind of memory would I take with me,” was how a dejected Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, who is demitting office early next month, reacted when lawyers tried to out-shout each other during a hearing on demonetisation.

“What kind of memory would I take with me,” was how a dejected Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, who is demitting office early next month, reacted when lawyers tried to out-shout each other during a hearing on demonetisation.

The Chief Justice of India TS Thakur expressed his displeasure by saying in his career as a judge for 23 years, he has never seen such unruly behaviour when junior lawyers are shouting and attempting to pin down senior advocates. (Sushil Kumar/HT File Photo)

CJI Thakur made his displeasure known by saying that never in his career as a judge for 23 years, has he seen such unruly behaviour when junior lawyers are shouting and attempting to pin down senior advocates, making the atmosphere of the court akin to a “fish market”.

Justice Thakur was anguished when some of the lawyers raised their voice to interrupt the submission of attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, who was arguing for the government, and senior advocates like Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram.

“This is not a way to argue. You people are making it a fish market. You people don’t want senior advocates like Sibal to speak. See Mr Chidambaram has not yet stood up. This is very unfortunate.”

“In 23 years as a judge, I have not seen such behaviour. This is the last week as a judge and I would be going with a heavy heart. What kind of decorum is maintained? This is CJI’s court and yet no decorum. You can’t be allowed this kind of behaviour,” the CJI, who will be demitting office on January 3, said.