New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday strongly reprimanded a lawyer for repeatedly describing the alleged rape of a minor as a “consensual relationship” in a bail plea filed on behalf of his client.

Expressing sharp disapproval, Justice Surya Kant remarked, “We got mentally sick after reading the petition. At least 20 times you have written 'consensual relationship' in the SLP (special leave petition). What is the age of the girl? You yourself say in the petition that she was a minor.”

The bench, also comprising Justice N Kotiswar Singh, firmly reminded the lawyer that consent is legally irrelevant in cases involving minors.

“Every paragraph you have written ‘consensual relationship’. What do you mean by consensual relationship? You do not know the ABCD of law … why are you filing SLP?” Justice Kant questioned.

Taking note of the lawyer’s status, the bench asked, “Are you an AoR (advocate-on-record)?” The Supreme Court’s AoR designation is granted to lawyers who pass a specialized examination, authorizing them to file cases and pleadings before the apex court.

“How are these people qualifying (for the AoR)? You don’t know the basic law… 20 times you have said ‘consensual relationship’ … Tomorrow you will say there was a consensual relationship with an 8-month-old child,” the bench remarked.

Following the lawyer’s apology, the court issued notices to the police and other parties regarding the bail plea. PTI