ILNS: The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing of the suo motu case on the Covid situation in the country to Tuesday.
The bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, Justices L. Nageswara Rao and S. Ravindra Bhat also allowed Senior Advocate Harish Salve to recuse as Amicus Curiae from the case.
Speaking about the hearing, Salve said: “I was there in the hearing yesterday, because Advocate Mahesh Aggarwal told me that the Solicitor General is going to mention the Vedanta matter. It is a very sad day. We should check the narrative and vocabulary in the court. It is a very personal allegation against me.”
CJI Bobde said: “Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. We will have to start looking for Amicus Curiae, who we don’t know in future.”
Salve reiterated: “It is a very sad day… Please permit me to recuse, so that there is no side case.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: “I would request Mr Salve to please reconsider his judgement. We should not pay heed to this kind of tactic. Otherwise, it will continue in future.”
Justice L Nageswara Rao said: “Even before the order was passed, there was strong opposition against the order. Have you seen the order Mr Dave? Have you seen the order Mr Vikas Singh? Is it how seniors say, Mr Dushyant Dave, without seeing the orders?”
Justice Ravindra Bhat said: “We never stalled the High Courts from proceedings. We have never mentioned a word in the proceedings against the High Courts.”
The SG said: “I am seeking time to file the reply. Today, my Lordship is retiring. I believe that Milord deserves a very loving farewell. Senior Advocates, don’t give statements on perception. Lawyers should go by the orders.”
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh said: “We in Delhi have two hours of oxygen. I’m only praying your Lordship should look into interstate movement.”
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The CJI said: “That is exactly what our intentions are. We are adjourning it to Tuesday.”
SG Mehta said: “I have asked for adjournment because I want My Lordship to have a decent farewell, not this abusive one.”
Dave asked: “Who is abusing?”
Vikas Singh said: “No one is abusing.”
The CJI said: “We are adjourning it to Tuesday.”
The court, thereafter, noted order to recuse Harish Salve