Ten People Look At Us And Shout, Which Voice Do We Catch? Supreme Court Expresses Discontent Over Out Of Turn Submissions By Lawyers

The Supreme Court today (June 5) expressed displeasure over the trend of out-of-turn submissions made by counsels during the hearing of matters.

The Court verbally opined that such a practice does more damage to the client's case than any good. 

The bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice SVN Bhatti was hearing a criminal Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the order of the Calcutta High Court, which refused to grant custody of a seized vehicle and goods taken from the petitioner on the grounds of an alleged illegal business in betel nuts/areca nuts. 

During the hearing, multiple counsels representing the petitioner attempted to make submissions. Considering the chaotic conduct, Justice Bhatti expressed :

"One counsel please...somehow in Supreme Court I am unable to assimilate that - straight away 10 people look at us and shout, which voice we have to catch? I have seen damages more in that fashion than it is helping (the argument style) the claimant." 

When the lead counsel apologised and informed that the other counsel, who was also representing the petitioner, was coming from the Calcutta High Court and requested to be forgiven for the conduct, Justice Bhatti remarked : 

"In High Courts such things don't happen. Why should he do it when he is coming to the Supreme Court?"

When the counsels apologised, Justice Bhatti clarified, "Please, don't take otherwise, sometimes we also get irritated." 

The bench ultimately stayed the operation of the impugned judgment and issued notice in the matter.