THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, May 15: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday triggered sharp reactions after likening some unemployed youngsters to “cockroaches” during a hearing in the Supreme Court. The remarks came while a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a matter related to the conferment of senior advocate designation.
The bench was pulling up a lawyer for allegedly “pursuing” the designation of senior advocate, observing that such recognition is conferred based on merit and professional standing, and should not be treated as a status symbol.
During the hearing, the CJI criticised the petitioner’s conduct and also referred to the language allegedly used by him on Facebook.
“There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?” the bench remarked.
The CJI further said, “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone.”
Supreme Court questions lawyer’s conduct
The bench observed that although “the entire world may be eligible” to become a senior advocate, the petitioner was “not entitled” considering his professional conduct.
A visibly upset CJI also remarked that if the Delhi High Court were to confer senior advocate designation on the petitioner, the Supreme Court would set it aside.
The court questioned whether the petitioner had any other pending litigation and asked: “Is this the conduct of a person who seeks to be designated as a senior advocate?”
The bench further stated that senior advocate designation is not meant to be “pursued” aggressively and asked whether it was being treated merely as an ornamental status symbol.
Remarks on legal profession and fake degrees
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court also expressed concern over the authenticity of law degrees held by some people practising in courts.
The bench observed that it was inclined to ask the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to verify the degrees of many people “wearing black robes,” stating that there were serious doubts about the genuineness of several qualifications.
The court also remarked that the Bar Council of India was unlikely to act strongly on the issue because “they need their votes.”
Petition withdrawn after apology
Following the sharp observations from the bench, the petitioner apologised and sought permission to withdraw the petition. The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal plea.