New Delhi, September 9
The Indian Tobacco Company’s joy over getting a major relief in Rs 803 crore excise duty case from the Supreme Court was shortlived today as the court recalled its order after it learnt that a counsel of the company had “smuggled” the
judgment out of the court room even before one judge had signed it.
Taking strong exception to the act of the company’s counsel, Ms Justice Ruma Pal, who pronounced the
judgment, recalled it minutes after when she came to know that its copy was smuggled out of the court room even before it was signed Mr Justice P.V. Reddi, the other judge of the Bench, which had dealt with the case.
Ms Justice Pal, who pronounced the
judgment, while sitting in another Bench said the order should be treated as “reserved” for pronouncement. She clarified that the further order in the case would be passed in consultation with Justice Reddi.
The court rejected the apology of ITC counsel, and held a strong warning to the advocates.
