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The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, delivered a stern reprimand to a litigant on Monday for using informal language during a court proceeding. The CJI, known for his commitment to upholding the dignity of the court, found the litigant's use of the colloquial term “ya-ya” to be disrespectful and inappropriate for the setting. Chandrachud reminded the litigant that they were not in a casual environment, but rather in a courtroom where decorum and formality are paramount. The CJI's strong reaction emphasizes the importance of maintaining a certain level of formality and respect within the judicial system, ensuring the court remains a space for impartial and dignified legal proceedings.
The incident unfolded during a hearing concerning a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the litigant against former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The PIL sought an in-house inquiry into Gogoi's earlier dismissal of a plea related to a service dispute. However, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, deemed the PIL to be inappropriate and dismissed it. The court expressed its concern over the litigant's attempt to bring a former Chief Justice into the matter, highlighting the need to maintain the dignity and independence of the judiciary.
The litigant's actions stemmed from a prior case where he had been dismissed from his job and had filed a plea under labor laws. This plea was dismissed by a bench led by Justice Gogoi, who has since retired. Instead of pursuing conventional legal remedies, the litigant filed the PIL, attempting to bring a former judge into the fray. The court, recognizing the inappropriateness of the PIL, advised the litigant to explore alternative legal avenues such as a curative petition, reminding him of the established legal procedures for addressing such matters. The case underscores the importance of following established legal channels in pursuing grievances, and it highlights the need to treat former judges with respect and avoid unnecessary attempts to involve them in ongoing disputes.
Source: ‘Supreme Court is not Coffee shop, don’t use ya-ya’: CJI Chandrachud reprimands litigant