Lawful indulgence

Senior counsel who have busy schedules consult their crammed diaries before asking for the next date of court hearing and judges accommodate the dates conveniently. During Monday’s Supreme Court hearing of Ram Jethmalani’s petition on black money parked in foreign tax havens, the judges suggested Wednesday as the day for hearing. “No, your lordship,” a chorus rose from the senior counsel on the front bench, “Wednesday is a Big Day”. Mercifully, judges gave a suitable alternative date so that the lawyers could watch the Mohali Armageddon between India and Pakistan. Judges, however, would not be able to see much of the cricket match because they have to be in the court till 4 p m. Some time ago, a Chief Justice improvised a middle course. He asked the court master to get the score every ten minutes or so and pass it on to the bench quietly. Unexpectedly, tempers rose during the arguments between two corporate lawyers. The judge asked them to cool down, and to soothe their nerves, read out the latest score in the court room.