Chief Justice DY Chandrachud bench in court

New Delhi:

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Tuesday interrupted the hearing before Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to raise a case for benching junior lawyers standing behind the senior counsel.

“Sir, I have noticed that all our young juniors are standing day after day with laptops in their hands. In the afternoon, the President of the Court will see if they can be placed behind you immediately,” the Chief Justice said Tell Mr. Mehta.

A nine-judge bench of constitutions, led by the chief justice, is hearing a series of appeals following a 1990 appeal by the states over whether they had the legislative power to regulate the sale and manufacture of industrial alcohol.

Responding to the chief justice, Mehta said he too had been following the matter, adding that he had asked lawyers in the court who were not connected with the case to clear their chairs for them.

“I just told the president of the court to see if he could put some stools in… We will try to put some stools in,” the chief justice said.

After lunch, everyone was surprised when the case was heard in court again. A row of stools appeared in the courtroom.

According to sources in the Supreme Court Registry, the Chief Justice directed that seating arrangements be made for young lawyers.

Sources added that the CJI checked the seating arrangements before the court session. He went to where the lawyers were standing in the courtroom and sat on a stool to check that everything was OK. Sources said the Chief Justice also checked that the lawyer’s view was not obstructed and this did not pose an obstacle to the Solicitor General.

“The Chief Justice is the epitome of generosity. Today’s action is not only unprecedented but needs to be followed by all courts. A man who sits at the top of the judiciary was so extraordinarily considerate of a young lawyer without anyone telling him.” Discomfort deserves tribute,” Mr Mehta told New Delhi TV.

“Words cannot express my gratitude to all the young lawyers today. I am overwhelmed,” Mr. Mehta added.