A moment of tension unfolded in the Supreme Court of India on Thursday when a bench of judges expressed visible frustration at the disorderly behavior of lawyers during a hearing. The incident highlighted growing concerns among the judiciary over the increasing tendency of lawyers to present arguments simultaneously, disrupting the decorum of the courtroom.

The bench, comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice SVN Bhatti, was hearing a Criminal Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed against a Kolkata High Court order. The High Court had earlier declined to return a vehicle and goods seized from the petitioner on allegations related to the illegal trade of betel nuts.

Chaos in the Courtroom: Multiple Lawyers Speak at Once

During the hearing, several lawyers representing the petitioner began speaking at the same time, leading to confusion and irritation. The judges attempted to regain control of the courtroom, but the overlapping arguments continued.

At one point, Justice SVN Bhatti remarked sharply,
“One lawyer should speak at a time. I fail to understand this practice in the Supreme Court where suddenly ten people look at us and start shouting. Which voice are we supposed to listen to?”

He further added that such behavior does not help the petitioner and instead causes more damage to the legal proceedings. “This approach,” he said, “does more harm than good.”

Rebuke Followed by Apology

Following the pointed observation from Justice Bhatti, the lead counsel in the case stepped forward to apologize. The lawyer explained to the bench that the others present were from the Kolkata High Court and might not be fully accustomed to the practices followed in the Supreme Court.

Justice Bhatti responded to the apology in a measured tone, stating,
“Please do not take it in any other way. Sometimes, we also get irritated.”
He also questioned, “Why does this happen here when it doesn’t happen in the High Court?”

Despite the apology, the judges issued a notice in the case and decided to stay the High Court's decision, effectively allowing the matter to proceed further in the legal process.

A Broader Concern: Decorum in the Apex Court

The incident has once again drawn attention to the increasing informality and indiscipline sometimes witnessed during Supreme Court proceedings, especially in high-stakes or multi-party cases. With multiple advocates eager to represent their clients or highlight key points, the simultaneous speaking can lead to confusion and inefficiency.

Legal experts have pointed out that such behavior undermines the structured and respectful environment essential for judicial processes, particularly in the apex court of the country.

Judiciary's Patience Wearing Thin?

While the Supreme Court is known for accommodating a wide range of arguments and perspectives, Thursday's episode underscores the need for courtroom discipline and the importance of maintaining decorum in legal proceedings. The judges’ remarks also serve as a reminder to the legal fraternity that professionalism and order are not just formalities but foundational pillars of justice delivery.