During a Supreme Court session regarding industrial alcohol, CJI DY Chandrachud engaged in light-hearted banter with senior advocate Dinesh Dwivedi, who apologized for his “colourful grey hair,” leading to an unexpectedly “spirited” exchange.
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NEW DELHI: During a Supreme Court session centered on industrial alcohol, a delightful exchange unfolded on Tuesday, adding a touch of humor to the proceedings. Senior advocate Dinesh Dwivedi found himself at the center of attention when he entered the courtroom sporting colorful hair, prompting Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to engage in a playful banter.
“Apologies for my colorful grey hair”
-Dwivedi quipped, attributing the vibrant hues to exuberant Holi celebrations and the presence of numerous grandchildren.
“This is the disadvantage of having too many children and grandchildren around. You can’t save yourself.”
Responding to Dwivedi’s jest, Chief Justice Chandrachud couldn’t resist injecting a touch of humor, asking,
“Nothing to do with the alcohol?”
His remark elicited smiles from those present in the courtroom.
Dwivedi, known for his wit and charm, acknowledged the Chief Justice’s jest with a chuckle before offering a candid confession,
“It does. Holi means partly alcohol… and I must confess… I am a fan of whiskey.”
His lighthearted admission added a further element of amusement to the courtroom ambiance.
During the course of the hearing, Dwivedi indulged the courtroom with tales of his affinity for a snifter of scotch, recounting a humorous incident involving a close encounter with scotch etiquette.
“I prefer single malt whiskey. I went to Edinburgh, which is the Mecca of single malt whiskey. I wanted to put some ice cubes and the waiter was offended, [saying] that you have to drink it neat and you cannot mix anything. There is a separate glass for it. The first time I came to know about it,”
-he shared, drawing chuckles from those present.
As laughter rippled through the courtroom, the nine-judge Constitution Bench, grappling with the weighty issue of overlapping powers between the Centre and state governments concerning industrial alcohol production, momentarily savored this lighthearted exchange.
The crux of the matter lay in determining whether “industrial alcohol” shared similarities with everyone’s favorite weekend indulgence, “intoxicating liquor.”
Advocate Dwivedi, representing Uttar Pradesh, contended that all forms of alcohol, whether industrial or recreational (think whiskey, vodka, and the like), should fall under state control.
One judge, displaying familiarity with the revenue-generating potential of liquor, quipped,
“The argument of states is that whether intoxicating drinks bring joy to human beings or not, it should bring joy to state revenue.”
Another judge joined in the playful banter with Dwivedi, posing a tongue-in-cheek question,
“You explained how some alcohol requires aging to improve taste, while others don’t; some are fair in color while others are dark. Would a material exhibit help?”
-a query that elicited peals of laughter from the court.
While the legal intricacies of industrial alcohol may seem dry, this Supreme Court hearing underscored that even the highest court can appreciate a moment of levity, all thanks to a touch of Holi cheer and the candid admission of a self-professed whiskey enthusiast.
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