13 Jul 2026
Please tell me, which advocate discloses his true income in his income tax returns?
Justice B.V. Nagarathna
During a plea challenging the appointment of an advocate as a Civil Judge in the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service.
An archive of thought-provoking oral remarks from the Indian judiciary.
last updated
13 Jul 2026
Please tell me, which advocate discloses his true income in his income tax returns?
Justice B.V. Nagarathna
During a plea challenging the appointment of an advocate as a Civil Judge in the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service.
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.