Don't mess around with my authority: CJI Chandrachud tells lawyer

“Don’t mess around with my authority,” an irate Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud warned a lawyer on Tuesday when he mentioned a case for early hearing before a Supreme Court bench presided over by him.

The CJI, who rarely loses his cool during judicial proceedings, got upset when the lawyer first sought an early hearing of his case and, after being told that it will be listed on April 17, asked for liberty to mention it before another bench. “I can mention before another bench if permitted,” the lawyer said.

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“Do not play these tricks with me. You can’t mention it here and then elsewhere for an earlier date,” the CJI, who was sharing the bench with justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, said.

Sensing the mood of the bench, the lawyer expressed regret and said he should be excused for his submissions. “Yes, you are excused. But do not mess around with my authority,” the CJI said sternly and proceeded to hear mentioning of other cases for urgent hearing.

Every morning, the CJI-led bench hears around 100 cases on an average for their urgent listing before benches in the Supreme Court.

(With Agency inputs)