'He Is Still Justice Varma, Still A Judge' : CJI BR Gavai Objects To Lawyer Addressing Judge As 'Varma'

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Monday objected to Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara addressing Justice Yashwant Varma, who is caught up in the controversy related to discovery of cash notes at his official residence, as only "Varma."

Highlighting that Justice Varma was still a Judge of the High Court, CJI Gavai said that he has to be addressed as a "Justice."

Nedumpara was mentioning for urgent listing a writ petition filed by him seeking registration of FIR against Justice Varma. "This is the third writ petition," Nedumpara said.

"You want it to be dismissed right now?" CJI Gavai asked him.

"It is impossible to be dismissed. FIR has to be registered. Now Varma seems to be asking for that only. There has to be an FIR, an investigation," Nedumpara  replied, referring to the writ petition filed by Justice Varma himself challenging the in-house proceedings.

CJI then objected to Nedumpara addressing the judge as only "Varma".

"Is he your friend? He is still Justice Verma. How do you address him? Have some decorum. You are referring to a learned judge. He is still a judge of the Court," CJI said.

"I don't think that greatness can apply to him. Matter has to be listed," Nedumpara replied. "Don't dictate to the Court," CJI shot back.

The first writ petition filed by Nedumpara, in March, was dismissed by the Supreme Court  the same month observing that the in-house inquiry proceedings were going on. He later filed another writ petition, after the then CJI Sanjiv Khanna forwarded the in-house inquiry report to the President and the Prime Minister. In May, the Supreme Court disposed of the said writ petition asking Nedumpara to first approach the Central Government authorities for the FIR.