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Justice PS Narasimha today advised a young lawyer, who filed a writ petition, to think carefully before filing such petitions. He reminded her that young lawyers represent the future of the nation and are also responsible for the advancement of the profession.

A young advocate filed a petition before the Supreme Court raising an issue regarding the need to increase the retirement age of teachers. The matter came before a bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe.

At the outset, Justice Narasimha questioned how, as an advocate, she is concerned about an issue that is a policy decision of the State. "How are you, as an advocate, concerned? Are you a party in person? 

When the advocate affirmed she is appearing as a party in person, Justice Narasimha remarked: "What is happening day by day? What is your concern? You are a practising lawyer; are these cases to be taken up by you? At whose instance are these cases taken up? Have you thought about it?"

He told the young advocate that litigation as a profession comes with a lot of responsibilities. "Litigation is a big responsibility. It is not a routine matter that you read something in paper and convert that into an PIL. Its a huge issue. If teachers are to be going beyond 65 years, its such a larger policy issue. To convert into a PIL overnight and take off your band and appear party in person, you shouldn't be doing that!. Think about it before doing. Being a lawyer is great responsibility. You represent the nation, where the practice is going to be. How much Courts are overloaded with work, whether it will help anybody or not, you should think twice."

The bench dismissed the writ petition on merits.


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