Supreme Court Adjourns Yatin Oza's Plea To Await Outcome Of Gujarat HC Full Court Discussions On Suspending Revocation Of Senior Designation

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing of the petition filed by Yatin Oza against the revocation of his senior designation by the Gujarat High Court, after the High Court's lawyer said that the Full Court will discuss the matter again in the light of the suggestions made by the SC.

Advocate Nikhil Goel, representing the Gujarat High Court, informed a bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and R Subhash Reddy that he has conveyed the suggestions of the bench to the High Court.

"The suggestions have to be discussed by the Full Court", Goel submitted seeking adjournment of the hearing by four weeks.

"Wouldn't it be better if we defer it by four weeks if the matter can be resolved in the meantime", Justice Kaul asked Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who is representing Oza.

Dave suggested that the Full Court be asked to decide within 2 weeks. However, the bench said that it will simply adjourn the matter, without expressing anything. The matter has been accordingly posted to April 30.

Dave expressed the hope that a positive result will come out of the Full Court decision. He also thanked Goel for undertaking the efforts to convey the suggestions of the Supreme Court to the Gujarat High Court.

"It is an unenviable task. A difficult task", Justice Kaul commented about Goel's efforts.

Dave also said that it was remarkable that many persons of eminence like Senior Advocates Arvind P Datar, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, P H Parekh etc were involved in pursing Oza's matter to find a resolution.

On the last hearing date, March 10, the top court had asked if the High Court can suspend the revocation of Oza's senior designation for a brief period, during which his petition in the Supreme Court will remain pending so that his conduct can be monitored.

"We are keeping both the writ petition (against the withdrawal of the gown) and the contempt matter pending. After whatever period we fix, you may be given your gown back for sometime as an interim measure, during which we will monitor your conduct. Then the High Court can take a call whether he is worthy of this relaxation or not", said Justice S. K. Kaul had suggested.

It was in July last year that the Gujarat High Court revoked the senior designation of Oza, after he made sharp remarks against the administration of Registry as the President of the High Court Bar Association. The Full Court recalled the decision taken in 1999 to confer senior designation on Oza.

Later, in October, the High Court held that his remarks scandalized the court and found him guilty of criminal contempt of court. A division bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV Anjaria imposed a fine of Rs. 2,000 and punishment till rising of the Court on Advocate Yatin Oza,for making "scurrilous remarks" against High Court and its Registry, during a live press conference on Facebook.

The High Court rejected the unconditional apology tendered by Oza as "lacking in bonafides".

Following that, Oza approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Full Court decision taking away his senior gown and also the contempt verdict. Before the Supreme Court also, Oza expressed unconditional apology for his remarks.

"I have absolutely no excuse. What I did was unpardonable. I am obliged for Your Lordships' grace. I am short of words to express this ", pleaded Oza before the Supreme Court.