The Oral Remarks Archive

7 Aug 2026

According to me, these things [protests] should not happen in the city, but it is ultimately the government's call. […] Why should the city be [held] to ransom unnecessarily?

Justice Amit Mahajan, High Court of Delhi

In response to a plea seeking permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on 10 August 2026, demanding the inclusion of Dalit Christians within the Scheduled Castes framework.

30 Jul 2026

We are in India, you have to take a realistic stand.

Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge, High Court of Bombay

To the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, while accepting Park Inn by Radisson's plea to quash the suspension of its food safety licence due to an alleged insect infestation.

1 Jun 2026

Law has lost its teeth because we don't deal with offenders firmly. That is why committing an offence has become so easy, unlike in the Middle East. If you chop [off a] leg or hand, perhaps only then people will [start] to comply with the law. Because we have a democracy, everybody takes it [for granted].

Justice R. Nataraj, High Court of Karnataka

During a hearing on a bail application filed by a 23-year-old man accused of rape.

4 May 2026

Have I decided to dismiss your writ petition? I've [only] requested you to bring the order copy. […] Are you thinking as a great senior advocate? Call the police. […] Go and tell and make a dharna at the Bar Council. You don't even have 10 years' standing and you will throw the bundle? […] Now you will [feel the] pain.

Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao, High Court of Andhra Pradesh

Directed towards counsel for the petitioner during a hearing on a petition challenging the issuance of a lookout notice against the petitioner, ordering the counsel to be sent to 24-hour police custody; order was recalled following an intervention by the High Court Advocates' Association.

28 Aug 2024

Go to that Mysore Road flyover. Every auto-rickshaw has 10 people. It is not applicable because the Mysore flyover right up to the flower market from Gori Palya is in Pakistan, not in India. This is the reality. No matter how strict a police officer you put there, they will be beaten up there.

Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, High Court of Karnataka

During a hearing on a matter under the Rent Control Act, with reference to a lease agreement in a Muslim-majority area of Bangalore; led to In Re Remarks by High Court Judge During Court Proceedings.

26 Apr 2021

The [EC] is singularly responsible for the second wave of COVID-19. [The EC officers] should be put up for murder charges.

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, High Court of Madras

During a hearing on a matter related to conduction of elections during COVID-19 without adequate protections being followed by the Election Commission; led to Chief Election Commissioner of India v. M.R. Vijayabhaskar.