Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sparked intense debate on Friday after making controversial remarks during a hearing in the Supreme Court of India, where he criticised certain social media users, RTI activists and lawyers.
The comments came while a bench led by CJI Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a petition related to Senior Advocate designation.
“Parasites of Society”: What the CJI Said
During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed anger over what he described as increasing attacks on institutions and the legal system.
“There are already parasites of society who attack the system,” the CJI remarked while addressing the petitioner’s counsel.
In another strong statement, he said some unemployed youths become social media influencers or activists and begin targeting institutions and individuals online.
“There are youngsters, like cockroaches, who don’t get employment… some become media, some social media, RTI activists and start attacking everyone,” he said during the proceedings.
The remarks quickly went viral across social media platforms and triggered sharp reactions from legal observers, activists and political commentators.
Court Pulls Up Lawyer Seeking Senior Designation
The bench was hearing a plea linked to the conferment of Senior Advocate status when the exchange took place.
According to reports, the court criticised the petitioner and indicated that even if the Delhi High Court granted the designation, the Supreme Court could overturn it.
The bench also referred to certain alleged Facebook posts made by the petitioner’s lawyer, although details of those posts were not publicly discussed in court.
The petitioner later apologised and requested permission to withdraw the plea, which the court allowed.
CJI Raises Concerns Over “Fake” Law Degrees
The hearing also saw the Chief Justice raise concerns about the authenticity of law degrees held by some advocates practicing in Delhi.
CJI Kant said he was waiting for an appropriate matter to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into allegedly questionable law degrees.
“I have serious doubts about the genuineness of their law degrees,” the CJI said, referring to content posted by some lawyers on Facebook and YouTube.
He also warned that stricter professional discipline may be enforced in the legal community.
Bar Council Mentioned During Hearing
The bench further remarked that the Bar Council of India may not act strongly on such issues because of electoral considerations within the legal fraternity.
The comments added another layer to the ongoing debate around standards, accountability and ethics in India’s legal profession.
Remarks Spark Online Reactions
The Chief Justice’s choice of words immediately drew attention online, with some users supporting his frustration over misinformation and attacks on institutions, while others criticised the language as harsh and inappropriate for a constitutional office.
Legal experts and civil society members are expected to continue debating the implications of the remarks in the coming days.
