Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sparked controversy on Friday by likening some unemployed youngsters to cockroaches, stating that they end up becoming media persons, social media users, and RTI activists who start attacking everyone. The remarks were made during a hearing before a bench of CJI Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, which was considering a petition filed by a lawyer seeking designation as a senior advocate.
Bench reprimands petitioner
Pulling up the petitioner for allegedly pursuing the designation, the bench emphasized that such status is conferred by the court and not something to be chased. "The entire world may be eligible to become senior advocate, but at least you are not entitled," the bench told the petitioner. The CJI also warned that even if the Delhi High Court were to grant the designation, the Supreme Court could set it aside after examining the lawyer's professional conduct.
Sharp remarks on social media activists
Referring to the petitioner's conduct and social media posts, the bench observed that there are already "parasites" in society who attack institutions. "There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?" the CJI asked. He then made the sharp remark: "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."
The bench questioned whether the petitioner had no other pending litigation and whether such conduct was befitting someone aspiring to be designated a senior advocate. "Is this the conduct of a person who seeks to be designated as a senior advocate?" the bench asked. It further noted that the designation is not an ornamental status symbol and that the petitioner appeared to be actively lobbying for it.
Observations on legal education
During the hearing, the bench also made a separate observation about legal education, expressing a desire to ask the Central Bureau of Investigation to verify the degrees of many lawyers due to serious doubts over their genuineness. It added that the Bar Council of India would not act on the issue because they "need their votes." The petitioner later apologized to the bench and sought permission to withdraw the plea, which the court allowed.
