Dignity of constitutional institutions must be respected: CJI Surya Kant

New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Refusing to comment on the recent abusive outburst of a litigant in the Supreme Court courtroom, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday said the dignity of constitutional institutions must be respected. The remark from the CJI came at a felicitation function organised by All India Senior Advocate Association for retired SC judge Pankaj Mithal and newly appointed judges Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Arun Palli and Venkita Subramani Mohana. "I would not like to comment on the incident. Bachchey aise kayi bar kar dete hein lekin main ye kehna chahta hoon ki hamein constitutional institutions ki maryada, maan-sammaan banaye rakhna chahiye. Ye hum sabka daitwa hai, sabko isko nibhana hai (The dignity of constitutional institutions must be respected)," the CJI told mediapersons in response to a query on the incident. In a dramatic turn of events, a litigant appearing in person was forcibly removed from the Supreme Court on Friday after he allegedly hurled abuses and threw his legal papers during the hearing of his petition challenging an Allahabad High Court order. The incident occurred before a partial working day bench comprising Justices K V Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe. Speaking at the felicitation function of five newly appointed judges, the CJI said the selection by the members of the collegium reflects the wisdom of the senior-most judges. "We want to assure you all that we will do our best to provide justice to the last man standing on the street. We will ensure that nothing prohibits common man from entering the Supreme Court and grant speedy, expeditious, affordable and timely justice to all the litigants," the CJI said. Senior advocate and secretary general of AISAA, Adish C Aggarwala said the elevation of five distinguished personalities is a recognition of their experience, integrity, legal ability and contribution to the administration of justice. Senior advocate P Wilson, who is president of AISSA, thanked the apex court collegium for selecting five extraordinary judges. PTI PKS PKS KSS KSS