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Counsel says ‘sorry’ for losing temper

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong exception to the action of counsel Prasant Bhushan, who banged the table twice, threw aside papers and walked away saying “I can’t argue in this court.”

Counsel was provoked when Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, during the hearing of a case relating to grant of approvals for new genetically modified products, sought certain clarifications.

Annoyed at his action, the Chief Justice said: “We only wanted you to furnish certain material about the credentials of the professor you are referring to. Don’t try to cow down this court like this.”

Justice R.V. Raveendran, who was also on the three-judge Bench, told counsel: “By losing your temper and throwing the file you are neither helping the cause of justice nor your interest. We are not against you. We expect better cooperation. By throwing tantrums can you cow down this court.”

After a while, Mr. Bhushan expressed regret and said: “I am sorry. I should not have done that. I should not have lost control.” He then proceeded with his arguments.

Justice Raveendran told him: “Everyday we are seeing so many PILs. We don’t know who the pressure group is behind the filing of the PILs. Petitions are filed by interested parties. Anything and everything is said in the PILs. There are axes to grind. What is white and what is black we don’t know. We are only dealing with grey. We have not said anything against you. Don’t identify yourself with the petitioner. When you are thorough with the material, why do you become emotional?”

The Chief Justice said, “You [petitioner] are retarding the progress of the country in one way. We can’t prevent research activities from being carried on in this country. If you find there is violation of any rule or regulation, bring it to the knowledge of the authorities. We are not experts. We can’t interfere in scientific research. We can’t lay down any guidelines. It is not our job.”

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