India's top court witnessed dramatic exchanges between a Lucknow-based lawyer and the Chief Justice of India on Tuesday (Jul 9) after the former lodged a complaint against another Supreme Court judge before the latter. 
 
The lawyer, Ashok Pandey, who has been taken to task repeatedly for filing frivolous petitions, was rebuked by a&nbsp;SC bench for not paying $600 (INR 50,000) cost imposed on him for filing a plea challenging the appointment of Supreme Court advocates as High Court judges.

"You are a practising lawyer, and after you have told the court you will pay Rs 50,000 in costs, you thereafter go abroad. Now you cannot say that you can't pay a cost of Rs 50,000," a bench of Justices AS Oka and George Masih told Pandey.

Pandey replied that he had not taken any case since 2023 and that the foreign trip was financed by his kids. But the bench refused to entertain his request, ordering him to cough up the required amount within a week or two.

Later, he was reprimanded by another bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan for non-payment of INR 100,000 ($1,200) cost&nbsp;imposed last year in connection with his appeal against the restoration of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership.

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Following the&nbsp;arguments with the two benches, Ashok Pandey approached the CJI and alleged misconduct by Justice Gavai.

CJI DY Chandrachud in turn cautioned the lawyer against levelling 'baseless' allegations against his colleague.

"You cannot make allegations like this on the judges of the bench. They never misbehave with lawyers. If you want to challenge the fines, file a review," he said.&nbsp;

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He acknowledged that heated arguments sometimes do take place but advised Pandey against making outright allegations. He added that frivolous PILs filed by lawyers often end up damaging the public's interests and taxpayers' money.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's top court witnessed dramatic exchanges between a Lucknow-based lawyer and the Chief Justice of India on Tuesday (Jul 9) after the former lodged a complaint against another Supreme Court judge before the latter.

India's top court witnessed dramatic exchanges between a Lucknow-based lawyer and the Chief Justice of India on Tuesday (Jul 9) after the former lodged a complaint against another Supreme Court judge before the latter. The lawyer, Ashok Pandey, who has been taken to task repeatedly for filing frivolous petitions, was rebuked by a SC bench for not paying $600 (INR 50,000) cost imposed on him for filing a plea challenging the appointment of Supreme Court advocates as High Court judges. "You are a practising lawyer, and after you have told the court you will pay Rs 50,000 in costs, you thereafter go abroad. Now you cannot say that you can't pay a cost of Rs 50,000," a bench of Justices AS Oka and George Masih told Pandey. Pandey replied that he had not taken any case since 2023 and that the foreign trip was financed by his kids. But the bench refused to entertain his request, ordering him to cough up the required amount within a week or two. Later, he was reprimanded by another bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan for non-payment of INR 100,000 ($1,200) cost imposed last year in connection with his appeal against the restoration of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership. Also read: Courts can’t ask accused to share Google Maps location as bail condition: Indian Supreme Court Following the arguments with the two benches, Ashok Pandey approached the CJI and alleged misconduct by Justice Gavai. CJI DY Chandrachud in turn cautioned the lawyer against levelling 'baseless' allegations against his colleague. "You cannot make allegations like this on the judges of the bench. They never misbehave with lawyers. If you want to challenge the fines, file a review," he said. Also read: 'Detrimental to women': SC sceptical over menstrual leaves, asks centre to frame policy He acknowledged that heated arguments sometimes do take place but advised Pandey against making outright allegations. He added that frivolous PILs filed by lawyers often end up damaging the public's interests and taxpayers' money. (With inputs from agencies)

Lawyer lodges complaint against SC judge before the CJI, gets stern warning

Chief justice NV Ramana on Saturday (April 30) said that India has a backlog of 40 million cases in lower courts.

"We have 20 judges per million population, which is highly inadequate to deal with the rising trend of litigation," Ramana told a conference attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of most states.

He also highlighted that most of the 24,000 approved positions for judicial officers on India's lower courts remain unfilled.

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Meanwhile, Modi said, "I would appeal to all CMs and CJs of high courts to give priority to these matters on the basis of humanitarian sensibility and the law."

"We need to encourage local languages in courts. This will not only increase the confidence of common citizens in the justice system but they will feel more connected to it."&nbsp;

"In 2015, we identified about 1,800 laws that had become irrelevant. Out of these, 1,450 such laws of the Centre were abolished. But, only 75 such laws have been abolished by the states," he added.

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Prime Minister Modi said as India celebrates the 75th anniversary of Independence, the focus should be on the creation of a judicial system where justice is easily available, is quick and for everyone.

"In our country, while the role of the judiciary is that of the guardian of the Constitution, the legislature represents the aspirations of citizens. I believe that the confluence of these two will prepare the roadmap for an effective and time-bound judicial system in the country," he said.

PM Modi also reiterated his vision of the use of technology in governance in the context of judicial work.

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(With inputs from agencies)

Chief justice NV Ramana on Saturday (April 30) said that India has a backlog of 40 million cases in lower courts. "We have 20 judges per million population, which is highly inadequate to deal with the rising trend of litigation," Ramana told a conference attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of most states.

Chief justice NV Ramana on Saturday (April 30) said that India has a backlog of 40 million cases in lower courts. "We have 20 judges per million population, which is highly inadequate to deal with the rising trend of litigation," Ramana told a conference attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of most states. He also highlighted that most of the 24,000 approved positions for judicial officers on India's lower courts remain unfilled. Meanwhile, Modi said, "I would appeal to all CMs and CJs of high courts to give priority to these matters on the basis of humanitarian sensibility and the law." "We need to encourage local languages in courts. This will not only increase the confidence of common citizens in the justice system but they will feel more connected to it." "In 2015, we identified about 1,800 laws that had become irrelevant. Out of these, 1,450 such laws of the Centre were abolished. But, only 75 such laws have been abolished by the states," he added. Also read | Xiaomi's assets worth Rs 55 billion seized by ED over forex violations Prime Minister Modi said as India celebrates the 75th anniversary of Independence, the focus should be on the creation of a judicial system where justice is easily available, is quick and for everyone. "In our country, while the role of the judiciary is that of the guardian of the Constitution, the legislature represents the aspirations of citizens. I believe that the confluence of these two will prepare the roadmap for an effective and time-bound judicial system in the country," he said. PM Modi also reiterated his vision of the use of technology in governance in the context of judicial work. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Chief justice NV Ramana says India has court backlog of 40 million cases

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