The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concern over an alleged incident of violence inside a Delhi courtroom, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant describing such conduct as “gunda raj” and a failure of the rule of law.

The remarks came while the CJI was hearing an advocate who claimed that he was assaulted inside a courtroom at the Tis Hazari Courts complex on February 7. According to the lawyer, the incident occurred when he was appearing for an accused before Additional District Judge Harjeet Singh Pal.

The advocate alleged that during the proceedings, the complainant’s counsel entered the courtroom along with several individuals and assaulted him in the presence of the presiding judge and others present in court. He further claimed that the courtroom was locked from the inside and that both he and the accused were attacked.

Reacting sharply, CJI Surya Kant said such incidents were unacceptable and reflected a breakdown of the rule of law. “This kind of gunda raj is not acceptable to us. That means it is a failure of the rule of law,” the Chief Justice remarked, also questioning how such behaviour could take place inside a courtroom.

The CJI, however, questioned the manner in which the issue was being raised before the Supreme Court and asked whether the advocate had brought the incident to the notice of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, who exercises administrative control over the district judiciary.

The advocate responded that he was raising the issue as a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association and alleged that the police were unwilling or afraid to act.

Directing the advocate to follow due process, the Chief Justice advised him to formally approach the Delhi High Court Chief Justice. He said the matter should be dealt with on the administrative side and clarified that no judicial action was required at that stage.

“You write a letter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and mark a copy to me. Let the High Court Chief Justice take cognisance and act on the administrative side,” the CJI said.