Only Instructing Counsel Can Make Mentionings Before Vacation Bench, Not Senior Counsel: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today refused to permit Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi to mention a matter before it. A vacation bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Sanjay Karol said that as per vacation bench norms, only instructing counsel should make mentionings, not senior counsel.

Rohatgi sought to mention the matter concerning the issue of electricity in Delhi. Reportedly, the peak power consumption in the national capital has substantially increased amid scorching heat. The issue relating to appointment of a chairperson for the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) was also in news recently. The issues raised in the matter mentioned by Rohatgi are not clear yet.

"This is concerning electricity in Delhi," Rohatgi submitted.

"We request the instructing counsel to make a mentioning...it's vacation bench," Justice Karol said.

Rohatgi pressed that it's an urgent matter. However, the vacation responded,

"We will record what you say. But as per the vacation norms, juniors are to be sent in listed mentionings."

The Supreme Court is on summer vacation till July 2 2023. Its registry will remain open every day - except Saturdays and Sundays. Read list of vacation benches that will sit during the summer break here.