Unusual scenes unfolded in the Supreme Court on Friday when a petitioner appearing in person disrupted proceedings, declared himself “sovereign”, addressed judges as “judicial servants”, hurled case papers inside the courtroom and allegedly used abusive language against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The incident took place before a Bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe during the hearing of a plea challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court. The petitioner, identified in reports as Prabal Pratap, reportedly demanded that the court direct registration of an FIR against a police officer in Lucknow.
Court proceedings took an unexpected turn when the petitioner addressed the judges as “judicial servants” and claimed that he was “sovereign” when questioned by the Bench about his conduct. He later threw a bundle of case papers in the courtroom and allegedly used abusive language against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant before security personnel intervened and escorted him out of the courtroom.
Despite the disruption, the Bench chose not to initiate contempt proceedings or any punitive action against the petitioner and instead proceeded to examine the matter on its merits. After hearing the case, the judges declined to interfere with the order under challenge and disposed of the petition. The Bench observed that the petitioner appeared to be “very disturbed” and decided against taking action over his conduct inside the courtroom.
The incident is being seen as one of the rare instances of disorder inside India’s highest court. Videos of the exchange quickly circulated on social media, triggering debate over courtroom decorum, public frustration with the justice delivery system and the manner in which courts deal with litigants appearing in person. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant assumed office in November 2025 and is due to retire in February 2027.