Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Friday made sharp remarks in the Supreme Court, saying some unemployed youngsters become “media”, social media users, RTI activists and other activists “like cockroaches” and then begin attacking the system.
The remarks came during the hearing of a petition linked to the designation of a lawyer as a Senior Advocate before a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court reprimanded the petitioner lawyer for aggressively pursuing the senior advocate designation and questioned his conduct, including the language he allegedly used on Facebook.
“The entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled,” the bench told the petitioner.
A visibly anguished CJI Surya Kant said that if the Delhi High Court granted senior advocate designation to the petitioner, the Supreme Court would set it aside in view of his professional conduct.
Referring to the lawyer’s social media conduct, the CJI said, “There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?”
He further remarked, “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.”
The bench said senior advocate designation is a recognition conferred upon a lawyer and not something that should be pursued aggressively.
“You are pursuing it. Does it look proper?” the court asked, while questioning whether the senior advocate designation had become a status symbol to be kept ornamentally.
The bench also asked the petitioner whether he had no other litigation work and questioned whether such conduct was appropriate for someone seeking the designation of Senior Advocate.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court also raised concerns over the authenticity of degrees held by several lawyers. The CJI said the court was considering asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to verify the degrees of many lawyers wearing black coats because of serious doubts regarding their genuineness.
The court further remarked that the Bar Council of India would not act on the issue because “they need their votes”.
Following the court’s observations, the petitioner apologised to the bench and sought permission to withdraw the petition. The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal plea.
Source: India Today