‘Youngsters like cockroaches’: CJI Surya Kant makes sharp remarks during hearing

In sharp remarks during a hearing on repeated petitions related to senior designation, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday criticised certain sections of society and questioned the conduct of some lawyers approaching the court.

“There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment and don’t have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become RTI activists, and they start attacking everyone,” the CJI remarked during proceedings in the Supreme Court.

The CJI also said there were already enough “parasites” in society attacking the judiciary and institutions, and questioned why lawyers would “join hands with them”.

The lawyer, appearing in person, told the bench that this was the third time he was approaching the Supreme Court. He alleged that the Delhi High Court had failed to comply with an earlier Supreme Court direction to expeditiously reconsider deferred or rejected applications for senior designation.

Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for the Delhi High Court, informed the bench that interviews in the senior designation process were currently underway.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice also remarked, “I have serious doubts about the genuineness of their law degrees…the things they are posting in Facebook, YouTube etc, do they think we are not watching?” He added that he was waiting for an appropriate case to order a CBI investigation into the LL.B degrees of several Delhi advocates.

Expressing displeasure over the repeated petitions, CJI Surya Kant observed, “The whole world might be eligible for senior designation, but at least you are not. If the High Court makes you senior, we will set it aside, seeing your professional conduct.”

Justice Bagchi questioned the lawyer as well, asking, “You have no other litigation, Sir? Apart from ensuring your senior designation? Is this the standing of a person who is expecting a senior designation?”

“You file contempt, then application!” the CJI remarked.

The bench initially dictated an order stating that the petitioner did not deserve senior designation as he was filing frivolous petitions. However, after the lawyer apologised and sought withdrawal of the remarks, the bench recalled the order.

The lawyer said he was serious about the profession and pointed out that five of his other cases were listed before the Supreme Court the same day. “Pursue that,” Justice Bagchi told him.

“Senior advocate status is something which is conferred, not pursued. Does it look proper that you pursue till the end of the world to get senior designation status?” Justice Bagchi added.

The bench ultimately dismissed the application as withdrawn.

The lawyer had earlier filed a writ petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to consider him for senior designation. He later moved a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with a previous Supreme Court direction.

The Supreme Court had dismissed that contempt petition in December last year.