Litigant abuses CJI, 'orders' judges, flings case papers in Supreme Court
A litigant disrupted Supreme Court proceedings by abusing judges and throwing case papers before being removed by security. The court dismissed his petition
Unruly scenes took place in the Supreme Court on Friday (July 10) with a litigant using abusive language against the Chief Justice of India and flinging case papers in the courtroom.
Courtroom chaos
The incident took place before the Bench of Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe. The litigant, Prabal Pratap, had approached the Supreme Court challenging the dismissal of his writ petition by the Allahabad High Court.
Also Read: Man tries to hurl ‘shoe’ at CJI BR Gavai in Supreme Court
According to a report in Live Law, the litigant approached the top court against the conversion of his application under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) into a private complaint case.
Litigant 'orders' judges
The report further stated that when the matter came up for hearing, the litigant made a strange remark to the bench and “ordered” the judges to order an FIR against an ACP.
"Mr. judicial servant, I order you to order the registration of FIR against ACP Vikas Nagar, Lucknow." Justice Viswanathan asked, "You are ordering me? You are ordering us?” said Pratap.
Also Read: After ‘shoe attack’, CJI Gavai’s ‘what will be reported on social media’ comment
Justice Viswanathan, taken aback by the remark, asked, "You are ordering me? You are ordering us?” Pratap, in response, said “That is all from my side. Everything is on record,” reported the Bar and Bench.
Then, the litigant escalated the situation by throwing case papers around and hurling abuses, after which he was removed from the courtroom by the security staff.
Court shows leniency
"When this matter was taken up, Mr. Prabal Pratap, who appeared as petitioner-in-person on behalf of both the petitioners in this matter, instead of presenting the case, made incoherent and unparliamentary utterances," stated the order passed by the Court.
Also Read: No case filed, shoe returned: Cops on lawyer who targeted CJI Gavai, says report
However, despite the unruly conduct of the litigant, the Court decided to show leniency and decided not to take any action against him.
"We have, however, considering the condition of the petitioner above named, do not propose to take any action against him," stated the order.
As for the legal merits of the case, which challenged an April 2026 judgment of the Allahabad High Court, the bench stated that it found "no good ground to interfere with the same” and dismissed the petition.
Earlier incident
A similar incident had taken place in the Supreme Court on October 6, 2025, when an advocate allegedly attempted to remove his shoe and throw it at former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai during court proceedings.
The lawyer was immediately stopped by security personnel and escorted out of the courtroom. Following the incident, the Bar Council of India suspended his licence, while the Supreme Court Bar Association terminated his membership.
However, despite the incident, Chief Justice Gavai later urged that no action be taken against the advocate.