My requests in dustbin: Indira Jaising on allowing lawyers access to Supreme Court judges' library

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising on Friday urged the Supreme Court to accede to the demand by lawyers to be allowed access to the Judges' Library..She lamented that she had written to various Chief Justices to open the library to lawyers, only for her requests to be sent to the "dustbin."Supreme Court judges library, which began functioning in 1937 from the modest Princess chamber of the old Parliament House, has since made colossal strides and now stands as the biggest legal library in Asia.It is now in housed in swanky newly constructed four-storied state of the art complex spanning 12,000 square feet in block A of the new additional building complex of the Supreme CourtThe library has a total of 3,78,000 materials, which includes books, journals, monographs, law journals, statutes, committee reports, State legislation, Parliamentary debates, State manuals, and local Acts.The library subscribes to 131 journals. Out of that, 107 are Indian journals, while 24 are foreign journals. Besides, it subscribes to 19 newspapers and 8 magazines.."I have written letters to various Chief Justices (to give lawyers access to the judges' library). Unfortunately, My Lords, my letters are going to the dustbin," Jaising told a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih on Friday.The Bench was hearing a case concerning the suppression of material facts in remission pleas, when an unexpected detour in the proceedings sparked the exchange.The exchange unfolded as the Court was wrapping up a discussion on whether there is a need to revisit the present process of designating Senior Advocates. 'Your Lordships' Library is one of the best in the world. It is not accessible to lawyers like us," Jaising said as the hearing drew to a close..Jaising did not hesitate to lay bare the financial reality of many lawyers who struggle to keep up with the ever-growing volume of legal publications."I am willing to pay that fee, My Lord, for access to that library. Lawyers should be given access to the library because, for one, I cannot afford to subscribe to all the publications." she said..Turning toward Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who has often been on the opposite side of legal debates with Jaising, she made an unexpected proposal."Maybe Mr. Mehta can write that letter on our behalf, asking for us to be given access to the Judges' Library," she suggested.A brief silence hung in the air before Justice Oka broke it with a smile."He has agreed," he announced, glancing at SG Mehta.SG Mehta offered a succinct response:"Yes, yes.".Laughter rippled through the courtroom.But Jaising was not one to let go easily. Turning once more to Mehta, she delivered a final, persuasive plea:"Mr. Mehta, please."With that, the Court rose for the day..[Read Live Coverage]