The Oral Remarks Archive

29 Jun 2026

[The] heavens are not going to fall.

Justices M. M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu

In rejecting a plea for an urgent hearing on a petition seeking an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations received for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

15 Jun 2026

You obstructed public servants from performing their duties. [...] RTI activists have become a new business. You don't allow people to work. […] Who are you to monitor road progress? Are you an engineer or superior authority? Are you an authorised representative of public? So called RTI activist.

Justice Sandeep Mehta

During a hearing on an anticipatory bail application filed by an RTI activist, who was accused of obstructing a public servant in connection with the construction of a road and making caste-based remarks against labourers.

15 May 2026

I have serious doubts on the genuineness of their law degrees. [The] CBI will [probably] have to do something. [...] There are already parasites in society. And you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches who are not getting employment in the profession. Some are on social media, some become RTI activists. And you people file contempt petitions because the High Court is not taking up something. Rubbish!

Chief Justice Surya Kant

In expressing disapproval to a petition seeking contempt proceedings regarding the Delhi High Court's delay in implementing the Senior Advocate designation guidelines; led to a clarification that it referred solely to individuals holding fake law degrees.

7 May 2026

There is [a] judgement of Delhi High Court which says [that] no student can be debarred on l[ow] attendance. That has created chaos. […] What we would just say, by way of long[-term] thinking, is that take a look at that judgment and if you feel like it, we can consider. […] We are giving you an opportunity to discuss the larger issue. […] Take a look at the judgment because it [is] connect[ed] with biometric attendance and no requirement of attendance. Connect the dots. […] Even if you don't challenge that order, we will consider the correctness of that order.

Justice Vikram Nath

Directed to the counsel for the Bar Council of India during a hearing on a petition filed against biometric attendance in law colleges.

6 May 2026

All matters are important. We read in the newspaper that there is an observation that the PIL in Sabarimala should not have been entertained by the court. So, with due respect to the judges, nine judges are occupied in a matter where there is an observation that it should not have been entertained in the first place. [...] This matter is more important than any other matter.

Justice Dipankar Datta

During a hearing on the petitions challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, when Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought an adjournment on account of the ongoing Sabarimala reference proceedings before the nine-judge Constitution bench.

29 Apr 2026

Whether custom prevails or one woman's desire. […] It will be annihilating religion, which we don't want to be a part of.

Justice B.V. Nagarathna

During the Sabarimala reference proceedings, in the course of a line of questioning on how to strike a balance between reform and religious customs.

25 Mar 2026

We will get it re-constructed.

Chief Justice Surya Kant

In response to an oral mentioning seeking an order to maintain status quo against the demolition of the petitioner's home.

24 Mar 2026

Please concentrate on the fundamental right of the officers of the ED against whom the offence has been committed. Otherwise you will miss the point. [...] You can't forget the second petition which is preferred by individual officers who are the victims of the offence.

Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra

During a hearing on the maintainability of the Enforcement Directorate's Article 32 petition in relation to Mamata Banerjee's alleged interference in the raids against I-PAC.

16 Sep 2025

Go and ask the deity to do something.

Chief Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai

During a hearing on a petition seeking directions for the reconstruction and reinstallation of a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh.

4 Aug 2025

How do you know that 2000 square kilometres was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian would not say this. When there is a conflict at the border, can you say such things? Why can't you ask these questions in Parliament?

Justice Dipankar Datta

Directed towards Rahul Gandhi for his controversial statements regarding China's alleged acquisition of Indian territory.

18 Feb 2025

There is something very dirty in his mind, which has been vomited by him in the program. [...] He is insulting parents also. Why should the Courts favor him? [...] It shows a perverted mind. [...] What embarrassment he has caused to [his] parents!

Justice Surya Kant

Directed towards Ranveer Allahabadia for his obscene statements made during an episode of "India's Got Latent".

12 Feb 2025

Rather than promoting them to be a part of the mainstream of the society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai

During a hearing on a petition concerning the right to shelter of homeless persons in urban areas.

1 Jul 2022

The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country. […] She should apologise to the whole country.

Justice Surya Kant

Directed towards Nupur Sharma in relation to her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

1 Mar 2021

Will you marry her? […] You should have thought before seducing and raping the young girl. You knew you are a government servant. […] We are not forcing you to marry. Let us know if you will, otherwise you will say we are forcing you to marry her.

Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde

Directed towards an accused facing charges of rape of a minor.

1 Mar 2021

When two people are living as husband and wife, however brutal the husband is, can the act of sexual intercourse between them be called rape?

Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde

During a hearing on a petition seeking quashing of an FIR alleging rape on the basis of a false promise of marriage.

15 Oct 2019

Is this not maligning the court? If you had left it to me, I would have decided. […] But you are taking to social media to malign me and the Chief Justice of India. […] Tell me one judge who has not taken a view on this. Will that mean all of us are disqualified?

Justice Arun Mishra

During a hearing on a petition seeking his recusal on the ground that he had authored a prior judgment giving rise to conflicting decisions in a matter under the Land Acquisition Act, which the present Constitution bench was constituted to decide.

6 Sep 2019

It is a very objectionable order. Who is this judge? Tell his name [out] loud. Let everyone know. Who is this judge? […] What kind of judge is he? […] No, no, no. The High Court has no right to tinker with our decision. This is the height of judicial indiscipline. Tell your judges in Kerala [that] they are part of India.

Justice Arun Mishra

During a hearing concerning an instance where a sitting judge of the High Court of Kerala had allegedly passed an order in contravention of a Supreme Court judgment.

30 Mar 2009

We don't want to have Taliban in the country. Tomorrow a girl student may come and say that she wants to wear a burqa, can we allow that?

Justice Markandey Katju

In response to a petitioner challenging his expulsion from school for violating rules by wearing a beard.

7 Mar 2007

The only way to rid the country of corruption is to hang a few of you on the lamp post. The law does not permit us to do it, but otherwise we would prefer to hang people like you to the lamp post. […] The only solution to this menace is to hang some people in the public so that it acts as a deterrent on others.

Justice Markandey Katju

During a hearing on a bail application filed by an accused in connection with his alleged involvement in the fodder scam.