Senior advocate gives up court practice after heated exchange with CJI

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan on 11 December gave up court practice as he was upset over a 'humilitating' exchange in the court between him and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra.

This exchange happened during a hearing on the Delhi Government vs the Centre statehood case.

Dhawan wrote to CJI Misra: "After a humiliating end to the Delhi case, I have decided to give up court practice."

"You are entitled to take back the Senior Gown conferred on me, though I would like to keep it for memory and services rendered," the letter added.

The case relates to the power tussle between the Kejriwal-led state government and the Delhi Lieutenant General, a union government appointee and Dhavan was one of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's counsels.

On 6 December, Dhavan wanted to make verbal submissions, which CJI Misra allowed, but asked him to not repeat the points made by lead counsel Gopal Subramanium.

Reportedly, CJI Misra then objected to a submission he thought Dhavan had made earlier and snapped at the senior advocate. 

-ANI