The Supreme Court on Thursday criticized a lawyer for insinuating that relatives of judges were being designated as Senior Advocates by courts..The Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan was hearing a plea moved by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara and others for quashing of the recent designation of 70 lawyers as Senior Advocates by Delhi High Court. "How many judges can you name whose offspring have been made seniors?" the Court asked as it questioned the allegations made in the petition..Nedumpara in response said that he has submitted a chart to back his claim. However, the Court was unconvinced with the submission and warned of action in case of failure to remove the allegations from the petition."We will grant you liberty to amend the plea and if it is not amended then we will take steps accordingly," the Court said.When Nedumpara submitted that bar was afraid of judges, the Court took exception to the line of arguments."This is a court of law and not azaad maidan of Bombay to make speeches. Make legal arguments and not for gallery," Justice Gavai remarked. Ultimately, the Court granted the counsel time to reflect over the pleadings and consider whether they need to be removed."A lawyer who is signatory to such a petition is also guilty of contempt," it warned..The recent designation of lawyers at Delhi High Court has been mired in controversy since beginning, with one of the members of the Permanent Committee resigning over claims that the final list was prepared without his consent.Senior Advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, a representative of Delhi government on the panel, had not signed on the final list which was circulated to the full court for deliberation, as he was busy in an arbitration for two days.It was also claimed that the original list was tampered with.
