Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan has withdrawn from seven matters related to the Delhi protests pending before the Supreme Court, following repeated interruptions during Thursday's hearing and an alleged incident in which his microphone was snatched.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard around 46 petitions raising issues including alleged police brutality, unlawful detentions, restrictions on public movement, journalists' rights and the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site.

“The bench failed to control the court. I cannot continue like this. Dignity of the court is more important,” Sankaranarayanan reportedly said while expressing concern over the lack of order during the proceedings.

He also objected to matters being taken up without following their serial numbers, emphasising that maintaining the dignity and decorum of the Court was more important than continuing his appearances in the cases.

According to sources, Sankaranarayanan had arrived at the hearing fully prepared with his notes and briefs. However, he was repeatedly interrupted by other counsel while attempting to address the Bench and could not complete his submissions.

Towards the end of the proceedings, when he attempted to make further submissions, a senior woman lawyer appearing on the same side allegedly snatched the microphone from him. Sankaranarayanan subsequently walked out of the courtroom before the hearing concluded.

His withdrawal is significant given his involvement in multiple petitions challenging police action, alleged unlawful detentions and restrictions on the right to protest in Delhi.

During Thursday's hearing, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Central Government and Delhi Police in several petitions and directed the authorities to preserve CCTV footage and other digital evidence.

The Bench also appointed nodal counsel representing both sides and directed them to organise the overlapping petitions into broad categories by October 28, enabling the filing of separate counter-affidavits.

The main batch of protest-related petitions is scheduled to be heard on November 3.