The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticized certain elements in society that it described as 'parasites' working to weaken institutions. The remarks came during a hearing of a petition filed by a lawyer challenging the Delhi High Court's refusal to designate him as a 'senior advocate' and the process for conferring the honor.
Court's Stance on Parasitic Elements
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed irritation with the petitioner and questioned whether he intended to join the 'parasite club.' 'There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?' the bench remarked. The judges further stated, 'There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment and don't have any place in the profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become RTI activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone.'
Withdrawal of Plea
The bench permitted the advocate to withdraw his plea after the exchange. When the lawyer complained that the High Court was not following the procedure laid down by the apex court, the bench asked him whether he had no other case to engage in litigation for his own designation. 'Senior advocate designation is conferred, not pursued, by lawyers,' Justice Bagchi noted.
Doubts Over Law Degrees
After being informed that the process for designating senior advocates was underway in the High Court, Chief Justice Kant stated, 'The whole world might be eligible for senior designation, but at least you are not. If the HC makes you senior, we will set it aside, seeing your professional conduct.' The Chief Justice also expressed serious doubts about the genuineness of law degrees of many advocates, given the material they post on social media. 'Do you think we are not watching?' he asked, adding that he was waiting for an appropriate case to direct the CBI to inquire into the genuineness of law degrees of many advocates in Delhi, as the Bar Council of India would not do so for various reasons.
