“Everybody abuses us, you NEVER stand up for us”, CJI Khehar to the Bar

The Supreme Court continued its stern stand against the Advocate-on-Record, Mohit Chaudhary against whom it had initiated contempt proceedings for making allegations of Bench hunting..A Bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justices DY Chandrachud and SK Kaul had some very strong words for the AoR and Senior Counsel, KK Venugopal, who appeared for him today in the case..Venugopal said that the lawyer is tendering an unconditional apology and withdrawing all statements made by him in the case. The Bench was, however, in no mood to concede easily. CJI Khehar said,.“What he had done is just too much. He was not there in the case. He came for the mentioning at the last minute. He charged a fee for making those insinuations and you stand for him. Everybody abuses us and none of you ever stand up for us…NEVER in capital letters.”.Justice SK Kaul also echoed his sentiments..“The biggest problem is he jumped into this matter only to make these insinuations.”.The Bench then had a long discussion before proceeding to reserve its order..The case began two weeks ago, when Chaudhary alleged “manipulation” by the Supreme Court Registry in the listing of a case. He stated in open Court during mentioning that the matter was to go before a regular Bench and there was no need to list it before a Special Bench. However, the causelist revealed that the Bench had not changed as alleged and the same Bench which had heard the matter before was slated to hear the case. This prompted a strong rebuke from the Bench..On the last date of hearing, the Bench appeared unflinched, even as SCBA President RS Suri and Secretary Gaurav Bhatia turned up to apologise for the conduct of the accused lawyer. Justice Khehar had stated,.“This attitude has emerged that you people can shout at us for anything. We are going to stop it. We won’t let you go. This is motivated and planned, to point an accusing finger at us.”