Case Title:- State Election Commission Vs. Shakti Singh Bharthwal And Anr.
Citation:- 2025 Insc 1261
Date:- 28.10.2025
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has observed that once a Bench has indicated its inclination and requested counsel to refrain from making further submissions, such direction must be respected, as continued insistence thereafter serves no purpose and affects the decorum of proceedings.
“Orders are passed after due consideration. Continued insistence thereafter affects the orderly functioning of the Court,” observed the Bench. Earlier, the Hon’ble Court had dismissed the State Election Commission (SEC) Special Leave Petition with Rs. 2 lakh cost after its counsel repeatedly pressed submissions despite six clear indications of disinclination by the Bench.
The SEC had challenged an Uttarakhand High Court order staying its clarification allowing candidates with names in multiple electoral rolls to contest panchayat elections. The SEC later sought modification of the order, tendering an unconditional apology and expressing regret for counsel’s conduct.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh and Advocate Vipin Nair appeared before the Hon’ble Court, assuring that such behaviour would not recur. Accepting the apology, the Bench recalled the cost and deleted adverse remarks but cautioned the Bar to maintain decorum and mutual respect in future.
