Vacation bench refuses to hear the matters mentioned by senior counsel and gave an opportunity to AoR

Today, the vacation bench including Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah refused to hear the matters mentioned or argued by the senior counsel. During the Court proceedings, at least three advocates were told by the bench that an opportunity to argue and mention matters before the Supreme Court should be given to the advocates-on-record (AoR) or instructing counsel. Before these instructions from the top Court, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the matter in the morning. Justice Nath remarked, “Mr. Singhvi, we will not hear you for mentionings during vacations. Tell your AoR to mention.” Hearing this, the counsel or AoR mentioned the case before the top Court and managed to get a date for listing. Another mention was made by senior counsel Anjana Prakash who was also told not to mention the case, “What are you doing here during vacation? We will not hear you, but we shall hear the counsel next to you.” 

Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave pointed out that the decision not to hear the senior counsel was not insisted upon by any other vacation bench. To this, Justice Nath said, “Mr. Dave, we will not allow seniors during vacation. Not in my court.” Also, Justice Amanullah said, “We have been transparent in this”. Moreover, when Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra tried to mention the case, the bench said “Mr. Luthra, you will put us in trouble for discriminating. Else, others will say…we are not allowing seniors but you can enter and assist in court.”