Peculiar scene in SC as lawyer insists on occupying front row chair in Kashmir case

A peculiar scene was witnessed during the hearing of Kashmir matter in the Supreme Court on Tuesday when a lawyer insisted on occupying the front row chair meant for the arguing counsel.

Advocate M L Sharma, who was the first person to challenge the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was reluctant to vacate the chair which infuriated a 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice N V Ramana.

"You are not arguing the case. Please let him (senior advocate) come. You are holding the chair," the bench, also comprising justices S K Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, B R Gavai and Surya Kant, told Sharma.

Sharma, who was sitting in the front row chair on the petitioners' side, stood up and said he has already vacated his chair.

"If the court will say, I will leave the courtroom," he said.

To this, the bench said, "That is your choice. Have some respect for the senior lawyers."
"I have revised my petition. I will argue in the last," Sharma said, adding, "I am sitting on the side. Let the main seat be occupied by the arguing counsel."