NEW DELHI: For the first time, Supreme Court on Wednesday assembled a global bench as chief justices and the most senior judges of six countries joined CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi to watch first-hand how the highest court in India conducts its proceedings.Chief justices and judges from foreign countries sitting as guests on the dais in the CJI’s courtroom is an old tradition. But never had the chief justices of so many countries partnered – even though they did not participate in adjudication – the CJI-led bench.On the bench were Chief Justice of Bhutan Lyonpo Norbu Tshering, who did his LLB from Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre, Chief Justice and President of Kenyan Supreme Court Martha Koome, Mauritius Chief Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, Sri Lankan Chief Justice P Padman Surasena, most senior judge of Malaysian Federal Court Justice Tan Sri Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan and most senior judge of Nepal Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla.After proceedings that included adjudication of bail to an academician accused of sexual harassment and the Andhra Pradesh liquor case, CJI Kant said it was a historic moment for Supreme Court of India to witness assembling of so many legal luminaries. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta welcomed them on behalf of govt and senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Rakesh Dwivedi extended courtesies on behalf of advocates.CJ Koome said the Kenyan SC looked up to the constitutional interpretations of the Indian SC. CJ Tshering said the basic structure doctrine evolved by the SC of India continued to be a guiding principle. “I have never seen so many advocates in a courtroom,” he added.CJ Surasena said while Supreme Court at Madras was established in 1800, the Sri lankan SC was set up in 1801, and since then, the two countries have followed the same legal system. Justice Malla said she was privileged to be part of the global bench and her Malaysian counterpart, Justice Pathmanathan, said her country’s highest court followed rulings and fundamentals of jurisprudence developed by the SC.
