'I'm Pained': CJI Surya Kant Issues Clarification On 'Jobless Cockroaches... Attack The System' Remark

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has issued a detailed clarification after a section of the media reported his earlier court remarks as criticism of Indian youth, stressing that the comments were directed at people entering professions with fake qualifications and at those misusing platforms to target institutions.

The clarification followed strong observations made during a hearing in the Supreme Court, where a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi had questioned a lawyer seeking designation as a senior advocate, and criticised individuals with bogus degrees and some self-styled activists who, according to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, attack the system.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarks focus on fake degrees and media misquote

Explaining the context of the earlier comments, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said: "I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites.

It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India," clarifies Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on his yesterday's statement on youth, misquoted by a section of media."

During the hearing that led to the controversy, the bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was examining a petition from a lawyer who wanted senior advocate status, and the judges used sharp language about professional ethics, fake educational qualifications and conduct on social media while warning against those described as "parasites" within society.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarks during senior advocate designation case

The matter arose when the bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, pulled up the petitioner for "pursuing" a senior advocate designation, stressing that such recognition is meant to be conferred by courts rather than chased, and asking whether the applicant was trying to align with people who, in the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarks, constantly attack the system.

The bench told the petitioner, "The entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled," and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who appeared visibly upset, also indicated that if the Delhi High Court granted senior advocate status to this particular lawyer, the Supreme Court would consider setting it aside after examining the lawyer's professional conduct.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant then referred to the lawyer’s Facebook posts, questioning the tone used there, and asked, "There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?" while also probing whether the lawyer had other ongoing cases and whether this behaviour matched that of someone seeking elevation as a senior advocate.

In another sharp observation, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone," comments that later drew media attention and were then, according to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarification, wrongly portrayed as criticism of youth in general.

The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant further asked, "Is this the conduct of a person who seeks to be designated as a senior advocate?" and added, "You are pursuing it. Does it look proper?" while also questioning whether the senior advocate tag was being treated as a mere status symbol, like something to be displayed ornamentally rather than earned through long-standing merit.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also mentioned doubts about the authenticity of some law degrees, stating that the court wanted to ask the Central Bureau of Investigation to verify the qualifications of many people wearing black robes, suggesting that the Bar Council of India would "never do anything" on this front because they "need their votes", before the petitioner apologised, sought withdrawal of the plea and was allowed by the bench to withdraw the petition.

With inputs from agencies