A Supreme Court hearing turned chaotic on Friday when petitioner Prabal Pratap interrupted proceedings before Justices KV Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe, addressed the bench as “judicial servants,” flung case papers into the air and was escorted out by security personnel.

The incident took place around 11 am, and the matter before the court was his challenge to an Allahabad High Court order.

Despite the disruption, the bench later declined to initiate contempt or any other coercive action and went on to dismiss his petition.

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Tempers eclipse legal argument

Pratap appeared as a petitioner-in-person and began the hearing with a defiant remark, “Mr. judicial servant, I order you to order the registration of an FIR against ACP Vikas Nagar, Lucknow.”

When Justice Viswanathan responded, “You are ordering me? You are ordering us?” Pratap replied, “That is all from my side. Everything is on record,” before the exchange escalated further. He allegedly used abusive language while referring to the Chief Justice of India.

He also claimed to be “the sovereign” during the hearing.

Mercy prevails over retribution

The bench later recorded that Pratap had made “incoherent and unparliamentary utterances” instead of presenting his case.

The court said it would not proceed against him “considering his condition,” while Justice Viswanathan also remarked in court, “He is very disturbed… it’s all frustration.

We only have sympathies for him.” The courtroom disruption led security to remove him immediately. He was detained briefly in the DSP’s office inside the courtroom.

Why dismiss the petition despite the courtroom chaos?

On the merits, the Supreme Court found no reason to interfere with the Allahabad High Court’s decision and dismissed the special leave petition.

The underlying dispute was related to Pratap’s attempt to challenge the handling of his case after the High Court had upheld the alternative remedy available to him.

The Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association wrote to Chief Justice Surya Kant seeking strong action over the commotion and the circulation of courtroom clips online.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did the Supreme Court not take action against the petitioner?

The bench said it chose not to initiate proceedings because it believed the petitioner appeared to be mentally disturbed and instead dismissed his plea on merits.

Q2: What happened during the Supreme Court hearing involving the petitioner?

The petitioner interrupted the hearing, allegedly abused the Chief Justice of India, threw case papers in the courtroom and was escorted out by security personnel.