Solicitor General Tushar Mehta Reprimands Kapil Sibal: "Someone Has Died, At Least Do Not Laugh"
Tension Rises in Court as Sibal Faces Criticism for Insensitivity During Debate on Kolkata Doctor's Alleged Rape and Murder
During the hearing of the Kolkata case in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Kapil Sibal allegedly started laughing. Due to this Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta reprimanded the senior lawyer and said, 'Someone has died, at least do not laugh.'
The Supreme Court has taken Suo motu cognizance of the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor on April 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Sibal is representing the West Bengal government, while Tushar Mehta has appeared on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the case on the instructions of the Calcutta High Court.
This incident of laughter took place when a debate was going on between Sibal, President of the Bar Association (SCBA) and Solicitor General (SG) Mehta in the Supreme Court. The SG was pointing out the 'flaws' in the registration of the FIR by the police.
The Solicitor General allegedly responded to the laughing opponent, "A girl has lost her life most inhumanly and disrespectfully. Someone is dead. At least don't laugh."
A video of the incident is going viral on social media. Sharing this 32-second clip, BJP's Amit Malviya criticised Sibal. Malviya wrote, "This is complete insensitivity. Like Mamata Banerjee, the legal team representing the West Bengal government led by former Congress leader Kapil Sibal did not show any remorse for killing the young doctor. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had to remind Kapil Sibal not to laugh."