Supreme Court reprimands CBI chief's counsel for interrupting proceedings

Being upset over the manner in which the CBI director Ranjit Sinha’s counsel intervened during the hearing of a plea for his recusal from the coal block cases, chief justice of India R M Lodha warned the lawyer not to exceed the limit.

“It is unfortunate. I am surprised. If this happened in the first court of this country. What would have been happening in the other courts,” said Justice Lodha who witnessed heated exchange of arguments between the counsels of the parties. Taking exception to Sinha’s counsel Vikas Singh’s intervention in the matter, Justice Lodha said, “You are not allowing us to hold proceedings. You have thrice crossed the limit. You have exceeded your limit.

“You (Sinha) should have filed an application for impleadment in the case. You cannot just hijack the proceedings like this. I am the last person to expect such behaviour from a person like you,” the court made the remarks.
Singh intervened at the moment, when NGO Common Cause's lawyer Prashant Bhushan started his contention that Sinha should recuse from the coal cases for his alleged meeting with the accused.“

He can’t make allegations in an open court without making Sinha as party. It is all for media. Sinha is director of premier agency and his reputation is involved,” Singh argued.

Continuing his salvo against Bhushan, the senior lawyer also said, “This is to scandalise the institution. Even the counsel refused to reveal the name of the whistleblower despite the court’s order (in 2G case) to give in a sealed cover. He does not trust the judge even. Bhushan is the only person who could only be trusted.

“The petitioner’s counsel is making all allegations only for media and the court should not allow it to happen. The court is also hearing it,” Singh argued in his loud voice.
Justice Lodha, who is known for his cool, said,“That is not true what you are alleging. We trusted CBI which is proceeding with the probe. Should we stop media. We don’t hold the proceedings in-camera,” he said.

"Our liberty should not be misused. If start doing like this, we will not proceed with the hearing,” the bench said and asked former Additional Solicitor General to allow Bhushan and CBI lawyer Amerendra Saran to place their arguments.