CJI Surya Kant Slams Attacks on Judiciary
Chief Justice warns against misuse of legal profession during senior advocate hearing
- CJI Surya Kant criticises activists and social media attacks on judiciary
- Top court warns against misuse of senior advocate designation process
- CJI hints at possible CBI probe into law degrees of some advocates
- Supreme Court dismisses plea over Delhi High Court senior designation
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th May: CJI Surya Kant on Friday made strong remarks against lawyers and activists allegedly targeting the judiciary, warning against attempts to misuse the legal profession and undermine judicial institutions.
The remarks came during a hearing in the Supreme Court of India related to the senior advocate designation process in the Delhi High Court.
“There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them?” the Chief Justice observed during the proceedings.
Referring to certain individuals active on social media platforms, the CJI said some people without meaningful engagement in the profession were using activism and digital platforms to target institutions.
“The things they are posting on Facebook, YouTube etc — do they think we are not watching?” Justice Kant remarked, indicating that the judiciary was closely monitoring online campaigns directed against courts and judges.
The Chief Justice also raised concerns regarding the authenticity of law degrees held by certain advocates practising in Delhi.
“I am waiting for an appropriate case to order a CBI investigation into the LL.B degrees of many Delhi advocates,” he said, adding that he had “serious doubts” about the genuineness of some law qualifications.
The bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, was hearing a plea filed by a lawyer challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to consider him for senior advocate designation.
Appearing in person, the petitioner argued that previous directions regarding reconsideration of deferred or rejected applications had not been followed.
Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for the Delhi High Court, informed the bench that interviews for the senior designation process were currently underway.
The submission triggered a sharp response from the bench, with the CJI observing, “The whole world might be eligible for senior designation, but at least you are not.”
He further remarked that if the High Court granted senior designation to the lawyer, the Supreme Court would set it aside based on his professional conduct.
Justice Bagchi also questioned the repeated litigation filed by the lawyer in pursuit of senior designation.
“Senior advocate status is something which is conferred, not pursued,” the bench observed, adding that repeatedly pursuing such recognition did not reflect the stature expected from a person seeking the designation.
After the lawyer apologised, the bench agreed to recall an earlier order. The petition was later dismissed as withdrawn.
