A dramatic scene unfolded in the Supreme Court on Friday when a petitioner appearing in person allegedly abused Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, threw papers inside the courtroom and disrupted proceedings before being escorted out by security personnel.
The incident occurred around 11 am before a Bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe, which was hearing matters on a partial working day.
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The petitioner, identified as Prabal Pratap, introduced himself as “the sovereign” and referred to the judges as “judicial servants.” During the hearing, he demanded that the court direct the registration of an FIR against the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Lucknow, alleging the officer was running a cybercrime syndicate.
Taken aback by the manner of address, Justice Viswanathan asked, “You are ordering me? You are ordering us?” The situation quickly escalated when the petitioner allegedly began verbally abusing the Chief Justice of India and threw papers into the air, interrupting court proceedings.
Security personnel immediately intervened and escorted him out of the courtroom. He was later detained for some time in the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) located within the Supreme Court premises.
Despite the disruption, the Bench decided not to initiate contempt proceedings or any other punitive action against the petitioner. Delivering the order, Justice Viswanathan said the court did not propose to take any action against him. On the merits of the case, the Bench found no reason to interfere with the Allahabad High Court’s order and dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP).
The petitioner had challenged an Allahabad High Court ruling that upheld a Special Chief Judicial Magistrate’s decision to treat his application as a private complaint instead of directing the registration of an FIR. The High Court had observed that he had an effective alternative legal remedy before the appropriate forum.
Before concluding the matter, Justice Viswanathan remarked that the petitioner appeared to be “very disturbed” and said the court had “only sympathies for him,” bringing the proceedings to a close without further action.
