Lawyer alleges “manipulation” by Registry, Supreme Court issues contempt notice [Updated]

The Court of the Chief Justice of India witnessed high drama this morning, as a lawyer mentioned a matter alleging “manipulation”, by the Registry in listing of a case..This led to Chief Justice of India JS Khehar losing his cool. The Court issued a contempt notice to the lawyer right away..When mentioning began in the CJI’s Court today, the concerned advocate stated the following:.“The matter was directed to be listed today but in a “manipulated way”, it has been listed before a Special Bench.”.This upset CJI Khehar who immediately cautioned the lawyer:.“Be careful with what you say. What is this manipulation?”..The lawyer then stated that the matter was to go before a regular Bench and there was no need to list it before a Special Bench..The Bench examined it’s earlier order and had a short discussion before a very upset Justice Khehar said:.“There is a judicial order. You people think you can tell anything here. Are you not ashamed of yourself. What nonsense is this. We are going to issue contempt notice right away. If you cannot satisfy us you will go straight to jail. File an affidavit in one hour in reply to the contempt notice”..Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul who was also on the Bench remarked that “it is most unfortunate”..The case in question is Plymouth Construction Pvt. Ltd v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. It was listed today before a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Abdul Nazeer as item 301..The earlier order passed by the Court on March 31 is a curt one line direction to list the case on April 7. The matter was, however, subsequently, deleted from the list as reflected in the elimination list for today. However, the matter was again listed for today in the supplementary list before the Special Bench..What is noteworthy is that it was heard by the same Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Abdul Nazeer, albeit as a regular Bench on March 31. Even the hearing prior to that on March 20 was before the same Bench of Justices Mishra and Nazeer..Note: The lawyer’s name has been withheld..Update: The lawyer later filed an affidavit apologizing to the Court. The Court said that the affidavit does not mention that the statement made by him has been withdrawn, but only tenders an apology. It then posted the case for further hearing on Monday..This story was last updated on April 8 at 10.30 am. .Read the order of March 31 below.