New Delhi, May 15 The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on what it described as a growing culture of attacks on the judiciary and the legal system, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant warning against "parasites" seeking to undermine institutions through social media and other platforms.
The strong oral observations came from the Bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while hearing a petition filed by an advocate challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to consider him for senior designation — the third such application filed by the lawyer.
The petitioner, appearing in person, complained that earlier directions for reconsideration of deferred or rejected applications for senior designation had not been complied with expeditiously.
Expressing displeasure over repeated litigation on the issue, the CJI-led Bench orally observed that senior designation was a recognition conferred by the court and not something to be persistently pursued through litigation.
"There are already parasites in society who attack the system," the CJI orally observed, cautioning members of the Bar against "joining hands" with such elements.
The CJI further made sharp observations about certain individuals active on social media and other platforms, remarking that some “youngsters like cockroaches”, who fail to find a footing in any profession, end up becoming "media, social media, RTI activists, or other activists" and begin targeting everyone.
"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," he said.
The CJI also expressed concern over certain lawyers active on online platforms. CJI Surya Kant said he had serious doubts about the genuineness of the law degrees of some Delhi-based lawyers and orally remarked that he was awaiting an appropriate case to consider ordering a probe into the issue.
Referring to content posted online, the CJI orally observed that the top court was aware of material being circulated on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. When the bench initially dictated an order that the petitioner did not deserve senior designation in view of his conduct and repeated filings, the lawyer apologised and requested that the remarks be withdrawn. Thereafter, the apex court recalled the dictated portion and eventually dismissed the plea as withdrawn.
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