I am a person in my own right, not ‘wife of someone’: How Indira Jaising responded to AG KK Venugopal

The hearing in courtroom 4 of the Supreme Court today in the contempt case against Prashant Bhushan was action-packed. However, one brief but interesting exchange happened between Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Attorney General KK Venugopal..The exchange happened when Senior Advocate Anand Grover sought to intervene in the matter after the Bench said that it will decide on the legal issue involved..Justice Arun Mishra then proceeded to ask Grover who he was representing?.“Ms. Jaising”, replied Grover..“Not Indira Jaising?”, asked Justice Arun Mishra.“Yes, Ms. Indira Jaising, it is the same name only”, replied Grover..“You should say your wife”, Attorney General KK Venugopal who was seated in the court remarked..This irked Jaising who was also present in Court. She vehemently objected saying that the Attorney General should withdraw his remark..“Withdraw that remark Mr. Attorney. I am a person in my own right”, said Jaising..Grover also said that the said statement was sexist..Jaising apologised to the Attorney General for raising her voice but also made it clear that she is an individual in her own right and does not identify herself as somebody’s wife..“We identify as individual lawyers, not as a wife or husband of anyone. Hence, we chose not to change our name. So Ms. Indira Jaising.”.Attorney General responded by saying that “she (Indira Jaising) is a very good lawyer”..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.