Contempt threat to senior lawyer: SC judge Mishra apologises

New Delhi : Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra on Thursday said he would "apologise a hundred times" with "folded hands" if anybody is hurt by his words, two days after he had warned a senior lawyer of contempt action while hearing land acquisition matter.

Justice Mishra's remarks came after a battery of senior lawyers led by Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi, A M Singhvi, Dushyant Dave and Supreme Court Bar Association President Rakesh Khanna requested him to be patient in dealing with them during the course of judicial proceedings.

Justice Mishra further said, "I am more associated with the bar. From me, you can take it that the bar is the mother of the bench. I respect the bar like anything.

From the core of my heart, I am saying that please do not have that impression in your mind." Justice Mishra, who heads a 5-judge Constitution bench hearing land acquisition matters, warned senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan on Tuesday of contempt while he was advancing his arguments.

The lawyers mentioned the issue on Thursday as soon as the bench of justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah assembled in court number three for the day's proceedings.

Sibal said both the bar and the bench are part of this great institution and they have mentioned this issue not for any individual but due to the cumulative effect of several incidents which have happened in the past.

"I request your lordship to be little more patient. I only request that both the bench and the bar have to maintain the decorum.

We are just requesting that allow this tradition to continue and let the respect for each other also continue," Sibal said, adding the "environment of discourtesy" should not be there.

Singhvi said that with folded hand, the lawyers are requesting the court that the "bonhomie and ambience" in the court should be maintained and there should be environment of encouragement especially for young lawyers.

Dave said that young members of the bar need encouragement from the bench and "please help us all to rebuilt this great institution".

At this juncture, Justice Shah said that anything has to be mutual and while referring to the Tuesday's incident, he said, "In fact, we called him (Sankaranarayanan) for his submissions but he blatantly refused.

Even courtesy require this that he should have politely told us what he wants to do". Sibal reiterated that it is not about the Tuesday's incident but it is a cumulative effect of several instances.

Rohatgi, while saying that cordiality between the bar and the bench should always be maintained, said that lot of young lawyers are "fearful" in coming to Justice Mishra's court and this affects the institution.

To this, Justice Shah said, "My brother (Justice Mishra) wants to say something with love.

Please listen him". Justice Mishra said if the lawyers have any impression that he was against the bar, then "it is my fault that I have failed to make you understand".