Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today sharply criticized a lawyer who attempted to interrupt the Supreme Court proceedings concerning alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a nationwide exam for medical school admissions.

Advocate Mathews Nedumpara, who was representing one of the petitioners, caused a disruption while Narender Hooda, another advocate for a petitioner, was addressing the bench.

When questioned by the bench, Mr. Nedumpara asserted his seniority, stating, "I can answer. I am the amicus." The Chief Justice responded, "I have not appointed any amicus." Despite this, Mr. Nedumpara continued, declaring, "If you don't respect me, I will leave."

 "Mr Nedumpara I am warning you. You will not speak to the gallery. I am in charge of the court. Security ko bulao (call security) ... have him removed," he said. To this, the lawyer replied, "I am leaving. I am going." The Chief Justice doubled down, "You do not have to say that, you can leave. I have seen judiciary for the last 24 years. I cannot let lawyers dictate procedure in this court."

Mr. Nedumpara was not finished. He remarked, "I have been practicing since 1979." The Chief Justice then warned him, "I may need to issue a directive, which may not be fair. You will not interrupt any other lawyer." Subsequently, the lawyer left the courtroom but returned later, stating, "I am sorry. I have not done anything wrong. I was unfairly treated." He then offered his forgiveness to the Chief Justice, using the Biblical phrase, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

This isn't the first instance of Mathews Nedumpara being reprimanded by the Chief Justice for his courtroom behavior. In March of this year, during the Electoral Bonds case, the lawyer persistently interrupted while trying to intervene. The Chief Justice responded firmly, "Don’t shout at me... This is not a Hyde Park corner meeting; you are in court. If you want to file an application, do so through the proper channels. You have received my decision as Chief Justice, and we are not hearing you. If you want to move an application, send it via email. That’s the rule in this court."