Chief Justice’s Disapproval of ‘Yeah’ Usage

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed strong disapproval during a Supreme Court hearing today regarding the informal use of the term “yeah” by a petitioner. He remarked, “Don’t say ‘yeah yeah yeah.’ Say ‘Yes.’ This is not a coffee shop. I am a little allergic to people saying ‘yeah.’ This cannot be allowed.”

The petitioner, representing himself, was arguing a writ petition related to what he described as wrongful dismissal of a plea challenging his “illegal termination” by former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Chandrachud questioned the appropriateness of the matter for an Article 32 plea, stating, “Is this an Article 32 plea? How can you file a PIL with a judge as a respondent? There has to be some dignity.”

In response, the petitioner stated, “Yeah, yeah, the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi. I was asked to file a curative.” This casual language drew a rebuke from the Chief Justice, who provided a lesson on court decorum and legal procedures.

Chandrachud emphasized, “Justice Gogoi was a former judge of this court, and you cannot file a plea like this against a judge and seek an in-house inquiry because you did not succeed before the bench.” Following the petitioner’s explanation of his case, the Chief Justice instructed him to remove retired Justice Gogoi’s name from the petition, stating, “The registry will look at the petition.”

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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