"Listen to me:" Irked Justice DY Chandrachud reprimands senior lawyer for making allegations against Supreme Court

Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday took strong exception to the arguments advanced by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh in the Unitech case (Bhupinder Singh v. Unitech)..The judge was visibly irked by Singh's argument that the top court was conducting the case in an ex parte manner and "running companies", a reference to the Court's orders in cases against real estate companies like Amrapali and Supertech."How many companies will this court run? Amrapali you are running, Unitech you are running, Supertech you are running. You have arrested my father, my wife, arrest my children also. Put us all behind bars. At least let me defend Grant Thornton report," he argued."Before you make allegations against this court, what is this language? What is this repent later on. Listen to me, listen to me... Is this the way of addressing the court?" Justice Chandrachud demanded.Singh was appearing for accused Unitech promoters, Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra.Singh urged the court not to conduct an "ex parte hearing" and instead hear the accused, while also asking Court to give a copy of the report of forensic auditor "Grant Thornton report" to the Chandra brothers so that they can construct a proper defence in court..However, while putting forth his point, the Senior Counsel made submissions from how the "court was taking secret notes from the Enforcement Directorate" to the Supreme Court "running companies after companies."."I don't want your lordships to repent later on that you did not take timely action. I am sure the court has nothing personal against the Chandras. I should have been given the Grant Thornton report. I should have been able to show that there is no diversion of funds. In trial if it is found that there is no diversion of funds, then can the clock be turned backwards and put time back into my hand. Shouldn't the Grant Thornton report be given to me now itself," urged Singh..The Bench did not take the arguments lightly with a visibly miffed Justice Chandrachud warning Singh not to make "allegations" against the apex court..The other judge on the Bench, Justice MR Shah also weighed in stating that there were reasons why grounds of arrest cannot be divulged to the accused and that the court "did not expect this" from Singh."Don't say such things and make allegations against this court. We never expected this from Mr Vikas Singh, with all seriousness," he said.Justice Chandrachud told Singh that "we can see that the client has not briefed you well.""I have taken a lot of briefings," Singh responded..The Bench then proceeded to decline the request of Senior Advocate Singh to have a copy of the Grand Thornton report."Mr Vikas Singh appearing on behalf of accused submits that report of forensic auditors Grant Thornton be made available to him to enable proper defence. At present from status reports filed it emerges that report by forensic auditors is subject matter of probe by ED. It will not be in accordance of law to provide underlying material which forms subject matter of investigation to accused at this stage," the Court ordered..Unitech promoters, Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra are currently in jail after they were arrested on charges of cheating and duping homebuyers.Chandra was arrested by the Economic Offices Wing of the Delhi police in March 2017.This came pursuant to a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Chandra after a July 2015 order by Patiala house court in Delhi.Read more on order passed by Supreme Court here..[Read Order]