'Lower Your Pitch…': CJI Chandrachud Reprimands Lawyer for His Tone After Argument Over Plea Listing

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CJI DY Chandrachud told the advocate to maintain decorum and warned him against an attempt to intimidate the court

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday reprimanded a lawyer during an argument over the listing of a petition. It is rare for him to display frustration while in court, but the chief justice asked the advocate to check his tone and warned him against an attempt to intimidate the court.

“Please lower your pitch first. If you think you can browbeat us by raising your voice, you’re mistaken. It has not happened in 23 years; it will not happen in the last year of my career,” CJI Chandrachud told the advocate, according to a report published by NDTV.

The CJI asked the lawyer to maintain decorum inside the courtroom and told him to take a more respectful and measured approach. “One second, lower your voice. You’re arguing before the first court of the Supreme Court of India; lower your pitch, otherwise, I will have you removed from the court,” he was quoted as saying.

Chief Justice Chandrachud even questioned the advocate’s usual practices, asking him where he normally appeared and if this is how he behaved in front of other judges. “Where do you normally appear? Is this the way you shout at judges every time?” he asked.

After the warning, the advocate apologised and made his submissions in a more courteous manner. But, this is not the first time the CJI has lost his cool inside the courtroom or asked other advocates to check their behaviour.

In March last year, CJI Chandrachud had a showdown with senior advocate Vikas Singh and reportedly “shouted at the top of his voice”. Singh was urging the Supreme Court to push up a case related to land for lawyers of the top court.

“Keep quiet. Leave this court right now. You cannot cower us down!” the CJI had snapped at Singh.

Another time, the CJI had reprimanded a lawyer talking on his mobile phone while the court was in session. He had demanded for the gadget to be confiscated, saying: “Is this a market that you are talking on the phone? Confiscate his mobile phone.”