Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud reprimanded a lawyer for his raised voice during a Supreme Court hearing on Monday. The session involved the Kolkata rape and murder case concerning a junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The case has provoked widespread protests following the assault and murder of the doctor on August 9. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, presented evidence suggesting that lawyer Kaustav Bagchi, also a BJP leader, had been involved in stone-throwing during a protest related to the case.
In response, Bagchi questioned Sibal’s allegations, leading CJI Chandrachud to intervene. “Are you addressing the gallery outside the court?” the Chief Justice asked, noting Bagchi’s behavior over the past two hours. He instructed Bagchi to lower his voice, emphasizing that the courtroom was not a platform for addressing a large audience.
Bagchi apologized, and the hearing continued with CJI Chandrachud expressing his frustration over the chaotic nature of the proceedings, where multiple lawyers were arguing simultaneously.
Addressing the ongoing doctors’ protests, the CJI stated that while the court was concerned about the doctors’ safety, protests should not interfere with their duties. The court warned that if the protesting doctors did not return to work by 5 pm the following day, the West Bengal government would be allowed to take disciplinary action. CJI Chandrachud assured that no punitive measures would be taken if the doctors resumed their duties on time.
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