CJI Misra, judge of key-verdicts, holds court for last time
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra held court, along with his successor Ranjan Gogoi, for the last time today. CJI Misra, who presided over benches that delivered a series of key verdicts like the one on Aadhaar and homosexuality during the last 10 days, appeared to be emotional during the brief court proceedings that lasted about 25 minutes. Here's more.
Emotional CJI Misra stops lawyer singing 'Tum jiyo hazaron saal'
CJI Misra in his inimitable style stopped a lawyer who started singing at the far-end of the proceedings. "Tum jiyo hazaron saal..." the lawyer crooned, singing the opening lines of a Hindi film song from the late 1950s usually played on birthdays. CJI Misra immediately stopped him and said, "Presently I'm responding from my heart. I will respond from my mind in the evening."
Justices Gogoi, Khanwilkar refused to hear urgent matters today
Justice Gogoi, who will take over the baton from Misra on October 3, and Justice AM Khanwilkar were sitting on the bench, which said it will hear no urgent mentioning of matters today and added that the matter could be heard later on October 3.
Lawyer urges court to look at controversial tweets against Misra
In a strange turn of events, lawyer RP Luthra mentioned two alleged controversial tweets by senior lawyer Indira Jaising and advocate Prashant Bhushan against the outgoing CJI, criticizing his recent judgments, including the verdict in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case. He urged the court to take cognizance of the alleged controversial tweets. But the bench didn't respond after perusing the tweets.
Misra headed benches that delivered milestone verdicts over Aadhaar, adultery
64-year-old Misra, as the Chief Justice, has headed various benches of different combinations, and delivered several key verdicts in the recent past. These include upholding the Center's flagship scheme Aadhaar with certain riders and decriminalizing consensual gay sex and adultery. The verdicts also include judgments in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and allowing all women entry into the Sabarimala temple.
Know your CJI: Misra started career in Orissa High Court
Justice Misra was appointed an additional judge of the Orissa High Court on January 17, 1996. He became a permanent judge on December 19, 1997. He became chief justice of the Delhi High Court on May 24, 2010. He was elevated as a judge of the apex court on October 10, 2011, and became the Chief Justice on August 28, 2017.