CJI’s ‘cockroaches’ comment & clarification: Oral remarks and institutional limits
Chief Justice Surya Kant's recent remarks from the bench have sparked renewed debate over the standards governing judicial speech. His comments likening some advocates to 'cockroaches' were later clarified to target only those with fake degrees. This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding the appropriateness of judges' oral observations in court proceedings.
- ▪Chief Justice Surya Kant made controversial remarks about advocates during a hearing on senior advocate designations.
- ▪The Chief Justice later clarified that his comments were directed at those holding fake degrees.
- ▪The Supreme Court has previously addressed the standards for judicial speech in cases like Chief Election Commissioner vs M.R. Vijayabhaskar.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s remarks from the bench on May 15 and the clarification that followed the next day have revived a question Indian law has tried to settle twice. When a judge speaks from the bench and the speech wounds, what standard governs? Hearing applications relating to the designation of senior advocates, the Chief Justice remarked that “there are youngsters like cockroaches” and that some advocates were “parasites of society.” The clarification confined the criticism to fake-degree-holding designees. The clarification has not closed the controversy.The court has named the convention twice. The first was the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life, adopted by the Full Court on May 7, 1997. The second was Chief Election Commissioner vs M.R.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu — Top.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Hindu — Top
