'Don't see God in us, see God in justice': Supreme Court reacts to council's remark - temple case in UP

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday made a pointed observation during a hearing in a temple-related case from Uttar Pradesh, telling a lawyer, “Don’t see God in us. Please see God in justice.”

The comment came from Justice M M Sundresh , who was sitting on a bench with Justice K Vinod Chandran. It followed a counsel's request to be discharged from the case, citing serious concerns about their client’s conduct.

The lawyer told the bench that their client had refused to cooperate and had even served a legal notice making serious allegations. “Judges were getting fixed through lawyers,” the client claimed, according to the counsel.

Describing the accusation as “very contemptuous”, the lawyer said they did not wish to continue with the case under such circumstances. “We withdraw from the cases if we find there is some dishonesty going on. We see God in our judges,” the lawyer added.

Justice Sundresh responded, saying, “Don’t see God in us. Please see God in justice.”

Following the exchange, the bench allowed the request and discharged the lawyer from the case.

The matter involved proceedings related to a temple in Uttar Pradesh.