Chief Justice DY Chandrachud Argues for Including Junior Lawyers in Courtroom Seating

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court addressed Mr Mehta, noting that the young lawyers in the courtroom had been consistently standing with their laptops. The Chief Justice expressed a desire to accommodate the young lawyers behind Mr Mehta immediately.

During a hearing by a nine-judge constitution bench, led by the Chief Justice, on the legislative power of states to regulate the sale and manufacture of industrial alcohol, Mr Mehta acknowledged the Chief Justice’s concern and mentioned that he had asked other lawyers in the courtroom not related to the case to vacate their chairs for the young lawyers. The Chief Justice then instructed the court master to arrange for stools for the young lawyers.

Following a break for lunch, stools appeared in the courtroom, arranged by instructions from the Chief Justice to make seating arrangements for the young lawyers. The Chief Justice personally inspected the seating arrangement, ensuring that the young lawyers’ view was unobstructed and that it did not hinder the Solicitor General.

Mr Mehta expressed gratitude and admiration for the Chief Justice’s exceptional consideration for the young lawyers, and emphasized the significance of such a gesture from someone in the highest position of the judiciary. Overall, the Chief Justice’s gesture was highly appreciated and described as unprecedented, demonstrating exceptional generosity and consideration for the comfort of the young lawyers in the courtroom.