'You are ordering us?': Supreme Court bench stunned as petitioner abuses CJI, throws papers

The incident occurred around 11 am before a partial working-day Bench of Justices KV Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe.

'I order you': Petitioner's remarks stun bench

The petitioner, identified as Prabal Pratap, introduced himself as "the sovereign" and addressed the judges as "judicial servants".

"Mr Judicial Servant, I order you to order the registration of an FIR against the ASP, Lucknow, for running a syndicate in cybercrime," he told the Bench.

A visibly surprised Justice KV Viswanathan responded, "You are ordering me? You are ordering us?"

The petitioner then allegedly began verbally abusing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and threw papers into the air, interrupting court proceedings.

Security personnel immediately intervened and escorted him out of the courtroom. He was subsequently detained for some time in the DSP's office within the Supreme Court premises.

Supreme Court declines contempt action

Despite the disruption, the Bench chose not to initiate contempt or any other coercive proceedings against the petitioner.

Pronouncing the order, Justice Viswanathan said, "We do not propose to take any action against him. As far as the merits of the case are concerned, we have perused the records. We find no good grounds to interfere with the impugned order. The Special Leave Petition is dismissed."

The judge later observed, "He is very disturbed... it's all frustration. We only have sympathies for him."

Lawyers' body seeks strict action

Following the incident, the Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association wrote to Chief Justice Surya Kant seeking "strong and strict action" against those responsible for the courtroom commotion.

The association also urged immediate institutional intervention, alleging that selective circulation of courtroom clips by certain YouTube channels, social media handles and "self-styled journalists" was undermining public confidence in the judiciary.

It called for stringent measures to safeguard the dignity, independence and authority of the Supreme Court.

Case stemmed from FIR registration dispute

The petitioner had challenged an Allahabad High Court order dismissing his plea against a decision of the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate (Customs), Lucknow.

The magistrate had directed that his application be treated as a private complaint instead of ordering the registration of an FIR.

The Allahabad High Court held that the petitioner had an effective alternative remedy before the trial court and granted him liberty to approach the appropriate forum.

Finding no merit in the challenge, the Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition, bringing the matter to a close.