CJI Chandrachud Warns Lawyer, ‘ Don’t Raise Your Voice…’ During Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Hearing

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday warned a lawyer to lower his voice and asked if he was addressing the judges or the gallery outside the court. 

The three-judge bench, also comprising Justice Manoj Misra and Justice JB Pardiwala, was hearing the Kolkata doctor's rape and murder case on Monday. 

Advocate Kaustav Bagchi was trying to make observations before the bench to which the CJI-led bench objected saying that "Are you trying to address the gallery outside the court? I have been noticing your demeanour for the last two hours."

He further cautioned the lawyer to lower his voice."Can you first lower your pitch? Listen to the Chief Justice, lower your pitch. You are addressing three judges in front of you, not the large audience who is watching these proceedings on the video conferencing platform."

Advocate Tendered Apology, CJI Says Not Used To 7-8 Lawyers Arguing At Same Time

Bagchi then issued an apology to the court.Subsequently, during the hearing, the CJI Chandrachud expressed his disappointment, saying he is not used to multiple lawyers arguing at the same time."I am not used to this kind of advocacy where 7-8 people are arguing at the same time."

 Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal further claimed that he had videos and photographs to show that the Advocate Bagchi was throwing stones at a protest over the August 9 incident at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The lawyer is Advocate Kaustav Bagchi, also a BJP leader. He switched from the Congress to the BJP earlier this year.

SC Directs CBI To File Fresh Status Report 

Earlier today, following the Supreme Court's hearing of the suo motu petition regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Apex Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a fresh status report by next week.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court today that the West Bengal Government had filed a status report, noting that 23 people had died when doctors were not working. Meanwhile the court was told the CBI has filed the status report. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud inquired about the distance between the residence of the Principal of RG Medical College and the hospital. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded that it is approximately 15-20 minutes away.

The Supreme Court sought clarification on the timing of the registration of the report of the unnatural death. Sibal reported that the death certificate was issued at 1:47 PM, but the police station entry for the unnatural death was made at 2:55 PM. The court also asked about the timing of the search and seizure, with Sibal noting it occurred from 8:30 PM to 10:45 PM.

During the hearing the SG also raised concerns about security personnel at RG Kar Medical College. The Supreme Court then ordered that a senior state home department officer and a senior CISF officer ensure that all three CISF companies receive accommodation nearby.

Additionally, the court directed that all requisitions needed by CISF personnel be compiled today and that security gadgets be provided by 9 PM.