During a Supreme Court hearing on Monday, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai strongly objected to Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara for referring to Justice Yashwant Varma merely as "Varma" instead of using the proper judicial title.
The objection came while Nedumpara was seeking urgent listing of a writ petition that demanded registration of an FIR against Justice Yashwant Varma, who is currently under scrutiny after large amounts of cash were reportedly found at his official residence.
CJI Gavai firmly reminded the advocate that Justice Varma continues to be a sitting judge of the High Court and must be addressed with appropriate respect.
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"Is he your friend? He is still Justice Varma. How do you address him? Have some decorum. You are referring to a learned judge. He is still a judge of the Court," stated CJI BR Gavai.
In response, Nedumpara remarked,
"I don't think that greatness can apply to him. Matter has to be listed."
This led CJI Gavai to respond sharply,
"Don't dictate to the Court."
The exchange unfolded as Nedumpara was mentioning his third writ petition regarding the matter. The first one, filed in March, was dismissed by the Supreme Court the same month. At that time, the Court noted that the in-house inquiry process was already in motion.
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Following that, Nedumpara filed a second writ petition after then CJI Sanjiv Khanna submitted the in-house inquiry report to the President and Prime Minister. The second petition was disposed of by the Court in May, with directions for the petitioner to first approach the Central Government for FIR registration.
In the latest hearing, Nedumpara again pressed for an FIR, stating,
"Now Varma seems to be asking for that only. There has to be an FIR, an investigation."
This line of argument, however, did not sit well with the Bench, especially in light of the casual way the sitting judge was addressed.
CJI Gavai made it clear that regardless of any ongoing inquiries, the dignity of the office of a High Court Judge must be upheld at all times in court proceedings.
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