Litigant calls CJI's brother to influence case; furious CJI says, "Will they dictate to me?"

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Suryakant issued a blistering reprimand in open court on Wednesday after a litigant’s father allegedly telephoned the CJI’s brother to discuss a pending judicial order. The incident occurred during the hearing of a controversial case involving two general-category candidates from Haryana who converted to Buddhism to claim minority quota seats at Subharti Medical College, Uttar Pradesh. An infuriated CJI questioned the petitioners' counsel on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against their client for attempting to bypass judicial protocols and intimidate the bench.

The case, which first came to light in January 2026, involves the validity of minority certificates issued by a Sub-Divisional Officer. The Supreme Court bench, led by CJI Suryakant, had previously expressed grave suspicion regarding the authenticity of these conversions, suggesting they might be a "ruse" to secure post-graduate medical admissions. The court had ordered a thorough probe into the certificates, noting that the petitioners belonged to the 'Punia' caste and appeared to have changed their faith solely for academic gain.

During Wednesday's proceedings, the CJI revealed the shocking breach of conduct, asking the lawyer if he was aware of his client's father’s actions. "He called my brother to ask how the CJI passed such an order. Will they dictate to me?" the Chief Justice remarked. He warned that such behavior would not be tolerated and that he has been dealing with such attempts at interference for the last 23 years. The CJI made it clear that he would not transfer the case but would instead meet such audacity with the full force of the law.