In a heated session today, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court rebuked a lawyer for his loud and confrontational manner during the proceedings of the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case. The case, which has garnered significant public attention, is being heard by a three-judge bench including Justice Manoj Misra and Justice JB Pardiwala.
A Clash in Court
The incident unfolded as Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal accused Advocate Kaustav Bagchi, a BJP leader who recently switched from Congress, of throwing stones during a protest related to the August 9 assault at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. In response, Bagchi questioned how a senior counsel could make such allegations in court.
Chief Justice Chandrachud intervened, instructing Bagchi to lower his voice, pointing out that his conduct was more suited to addressing the public outside rather than the judges. “Can you first lower your pitch?” the Chief Justice said. “You are addressing three judges in front of you, not the large audience watching on the video conferencing platform.” Bagchi subsequently apologized for his outburst.
Courtroom Dynamics
The Chief Justice also expressed frustration over multiple lawyers speaking simultaneously, noting that he was not accustomed to such chaotic advocacy. The Supreme Court has instructed the CBI to submit a new report by next Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of determining who collected the forensic samples from the crime scene.
Solicitor General Mehta highlighted the complexity of the forensic issues, mentioning that samples would be sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi for further examination. He revealed that the forensic report showed the victim was found semi-nude with injury marks, raising questions about the handling of the evidence.
