The case in question, Ramesh Kumaran and Another v. State Through The Inspector of Police and Another, was being heard when the first petitioner, Ramesh Kumaran, who is also a lawyer, made a startling statement during the virtual hearing. He said that he would commit suicide if the FIR against respondent number 2 was not quashed.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday witnessed an unexpected situation when a lawyer appearing via video conferencing (VC) threatened to take his own life if the court did not accept his plea in a criminal case.
A Supreme Court bench consisting of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed shock over the lawyer’s statement and directed him to submit a written apology by March 7 or face serious consequences.
The case in question, Ramesh Kumaran and Another v. State Through The Inspector of Police and Another, was being heard when the first petitioner, Ramesh Kumaran, who is also a lawyer, made a startling statement during the virtual hearing. He said that he would commit suicide if the FIR against respondent number 2 was not quashed.
Hearing this, Justice Oka strongly objected and said:
“How can you threaten the court that you will commit suicide if we don’t allow your prayer? You are a lawyer… We will ask the Bar Council to suspend your license and register an FIR.”
Soon after making this statement, the lawyer turned off his video link, which prompted the bench to comment:
“Now, he is gone.”
After the unexpected turn of events, the Supreme Court directed Kumaran’s lawyer, who was physically present in the courtroom, to apologize on his behalf.
When the hearing resumed, Kumaran reappeared through VC and said:
“My sincere apologies. I got emotional.”
However, Justice Oka was firm on his stand and instructed him to submit a written apology by March 7, stating:
“No, we want a written apology by Friday (March 7).”
The bench clarified that the lawyer was not being forced to apologize, but warned him of strict consequences if he failed to do so.
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“We expect him to tender an unconditional apology.”
The matter is related to a criminal case involving cross FIRs filed by both parties, and Kumaran had approached the Supreme Court regarding one of the accused, Ragavendran.
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