'Don't Shout At Me': CJI Reprimands Advocate During Poll Bonds Hearing - Watch

A verbal confrontation broke between Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and advocate Mathews Nedumpara on Monday during a hearing of the Electoral Bond case in the Supreme Court.

A viral video doing rounds on social media shows the heated interaction between them. During the hearing, advocate Mathews Nedumpara stated that the verdict in the Electoral Bond case was rendered without the citizens' awareness. Despite the judges' attempts to interject, Nedumpara continued to speak over them, his voice growing louder with each assertion.

Nedumpara, seeking to intervene, argued that the electoral bonds case "was not a justiciable issue at all". He added, "This was a policy matter and not for the courts to get into. That is why people feel this judgment was given behind their back."

However, the CJI tried to stop him, but Nedumpara did not stop and said "I am a citizen of this country."

CJI DY Chandrachud then said that "One second, don't shout at me" to which the advocate said, "No, no, I am very soft."

The Chief Justice claimed, "This is not a Hyde Park corner meeting, you are in the court. You want to move an application, file an application. You have got my decision as Chief Justice, we are not hearing you. If you want to file an application, move it on the email. That's the rule in this court."

As Nedumpara continued to speak, Justice BR Gavai chipped in and said "You are obstructing the process of administration of justice!" Yet the advocate did not stop and the bench said, "That's all, we will not hear you till you follow the procedure prescribed." Mr Nedumpara said they will be filing an application and that they boarded a night flight to reach Delhi. "Be kind to us," he said.

The bench did not consider arguments from Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Agarwalla, both of whom sought to intervene.

During the hearing, the court declined to consider arguments from Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Supreme Court Bar Association president Adish Agarwalla, both of whom sought to intervene.

Chief Justice Vs Lawyers' Body President

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud spoke tough to the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Adish Aggarwala as he had soigh sought a suo motu review of the Supreme Court's judgment last month in which it scrapped the electoral bonds scheme. He said, "Apart from being a senior counsel, you are president of SCBA. You have written a letter invoking my suo motu powers. These are all publicity-related stuff and we will not get into this. Do not make me say anything more. It will be distasteful."

After Aggarwala mentioned the matter today, the Chief Justice replied, sternly, "Apart from being a senior counsel, you are president of SCBA. You have written a letter invoking my suo motu powers. These are all publicity-related stuff and we will not get into this. Do not make me say anything more. It will be distasteful."