New Delhi: During a heated Supreme Court session on Tuesday regarding the disqualification of Shiv Sena and NCP MLAs, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud issued a stern warning to a lawyer pushing for an expedited hearing date. The three-judge bench, led by CJI Chandrachud and including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, was evaluating requests from both the Ajit Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray factions.While the Ajit Pawar group sought more time to prepare their response, the CJI granted a two-week extension. However, the Uddhav factions legal representative pressed for a hearing in the following week, provoking an unexpected response from the CJI.What led to heated argumentThe courtroom atmosphere grew tense as the lawyer for the Uddhav Thackeray group repeatedly urged the bench to reschedule the hearing to the next week. Before the CJI could respond, the lawyer insisted on the earlier date, prompting CJI Chandrachud to react. Clearly frustrated by the persistent demands, he admonished the lawyer, saying, Please do not order the court. Do you know how much pressure is there on the court One day you come and sit here, where I am sitting. I can assure you that then you will run to save your life!Background of the disputeThe political turmoil in Maharashtra began in June 2022, when Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena faction split. Eknath Shinde, leading a group of MLAs, formed a new government in alliance with the BJP, claiming to be the legitimate Shiv Sena. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar recognized Shindes faction as the official Shiv Sena, a decision contested by the Uddhav faction in the Supreme Court.Similarly, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faces a parallel dispute. Ajit Pawars faction rebelled against Sharad Pawar, asserting themselves as the true NCP, a status also affirmed by the Assembly Speaker. This recognition has been challenged by Sharad Pawars supporters in court.
