Chief Justice of India Surya Kant warned on Friday against growing attacks on the judiciary by unemployed individuals posing as media and RTI activists. He made the remarks while hearing a plea by advocate Sanjay Dubey. The Supreme Court dismissed the plea and called for probes into fake law degrees.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, heading a bench with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, heard the plea on May 15, 2026. The petition sought contempt action against the Delhi High Court for delays in applying Supreme Court guidelines on senior advocate designations.
The Chief Justice described certain critics as “parasites in society who attack the system” because they lack employment or standing in the legal profession. He said some turn to media, social media, or RTI activism to target institutions.
The bench dismissed the plea, stating that the senior advocate tag is conferred by the court and is not a status symbol. It also flagged thousands of lawyers with dubious degrees and urged a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, noting possible collusion by the Bar Council of India.
Advocate Sanjay Dubey later apologised and withdrew the petition, which the court permitted.
