Bhubaneswar/new Delhi, September 24: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Thursday apologised before the Supreme Court over a remark made by Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya against Amicus Curiae Raju Ramachandran during the hearing of the Odisha DGP appointment matter.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Acharya had remarked that Ramachandran was presenting the case as though he were arguing on behalf of the petitioner. The comment drew a strong objection from the Amicus Curiae.
Ramachandran told the court that he had practised for nearly 50 years and had never faced an allegation of being unfair in his conduct. He urged the court to direct the Odisha Advocate General to withdraw the remark, stating that otherwise he would consider withdrawing from the case.
Chief Justice Surya Kant assured Ramachandran that the allegation would not be allowed to form part of the court record.
Justice Bagchi also observed that the court does not ordinarily take note of such comments, adding that the Amicus Curiae was not “on trial.”
On Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apologised to Ramachandran over the remark made during the previous day's proceedings.
Acharya, for his part, said he had profound respect for Ramachandran, while maintaining that the State had to place the facts before the court. He made the observation in a lighter vein during the proceedings.
