Why this aggression, be more polite, Justice Khehar asks attorney general Mukul Rohatgi

Tuesday, 3 May 2016 By SCOI Report SCOI Reports

If the gentlemen at the bar have to fight, they might as well do it in style!
If the gentlemen at the bar have to fight, they might as well do it in style!

Shortly before lunch the matter of the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) appointment came up in Court 3 with Prashant Bhushan, counsel for petitioner, making the submissions of why the CVC’s appointment was dubious.

Once he completed, the attorney general Mukul Rohatgi and senior advocate Aryama Sundaram stood together and, Rohatgi in particular, vociferously protested against the petitioner not bothering to inform the respondents about the case coming up for hearing today.

The tone and tenor of the AG’s outburst against Bhushan surprised Justice Khehar who asked him what explained such aggression.

“This is an insult to the court,” Khehar told the AG

“It is unfair to us,” the judge continued, adding: “This is happening all the time. This must stop.”

The AG said sorry and immediately changed to a soft tone and explained his concerns of having been ignored by the petitioner repeatedly.

Bhushan, however, denied the allegations and claimed they knew the case was coming up today.

The bench then said if the AG had any suggestions to the petitioners it could be expressed politely.

The bench directed issue of notices on the two IAs filed in the case.

Photo by Wellcome Trust

Court CutsPrashant BhushanAryama SundaramMukul RohatgiJS Khehar

Comments

Hah 3 May 2016, 09:19
+25 -0
This aggression,coz it gets orders without wasting too much time in reading, m'lud!
Courting Quote 3 May 2016, 10:42
+3 -6
Mr AG is known for his aggressive nature. His advocacy style is very different and sadly that style is being followed more and more and gaining precedence now in the SC. Please remember that SC is not a 'street fighting arena'
Lexpert 3 May 2016, 13:14
+3 -2
Sadly, have to agree with the previous two comments. Mr AG's street-fighting skills and aggression have inspired many a young litigator even in lower courts.. I am afraid the days of gentlemen advocates are long gone!
Who is the reporter? 3 May 2016, 13:27
+1 -0
Who is SCOI reports?
Bar Watcher 3 May 2016, 17:11
+11 -4
People who don't haven't seen Mr. PB in action won't appreciate the sheer ability of that man to irritate any advocate. He wears upon himself a halo that is supported by half baked legal submissions and a third rate appreciation of the facts. Add to that common sense or even rudimentary economics are topics that are anathema to Mr. PB and generic description of Advocates and the world at large as corrupt is a strategy or argument that is carried over from TV studios.

I don't blame any Advocate for losing his cool, when faced with arguments from PB. [...] Its bloody easy to walk around as if you have a halo upon your head, when you have a family fortune earned from defending the same corporates that you vilify.
kianganz 4 May 2016, 05:12
+3 -4
Obviously you seem to disagree with him politically, but not sure it can be a criticism that his well-off family should disbar him from standing up for what he thinks is right.

Here's a more detailed profile of Prashant Bhushan examining his style and background a little more:
http://www.legallyindia.com/Supreme-Court-Postcards/the-epoch-of-prashant-bhushan-court-witness-brief-history-of-pil
Street fighter 5 May 2016, 15:37
+3 -0
And what about the outbursts daily from the bench...CJI is behaving as if he is the lord and master of all he surveys.
bhandaam 8 May 2016, 07:01
+0 -1
Even if your Lordship was insulted by the AG, your Lordship took it in his stride. On the contrary, if it were any ordinary citizen, he would have been rebuked or charged with contempt and even the insult recorded against him and be barred from appearing again.
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