CJI slams lawyer for improper reference to justice Varma

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai on Monday rebuked a lawyer in open court for referring to Justice Yashwant Varma, who has been at the centre of controversy since the alleged discovery of charred currency notes at his official residence in Delhi in March this year, without due decorum, reminding the advocate that the judge remains a sitting member of a constitutional court.

- Utkarsh Anand [e-mail]

The courtroom exchange occurred when advocate Mathews J Nedumpara mentioned his pending petition seeking registration of a first information report (FIR) in connection with the alleged recovery of a huge cache of charred cash from Justice Varma’s official residence in March.

“Looks like Varma also wants this now... he also moved (court). There needs to be FIR,” Nedumpara told the CJI's bench while requesting an expedited listing of his petition.

CJI Gavai cut him short immediately: “Is he your friend?