You must speak in English in Supreme Court : CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

‘In Supreme Court, you must speak in English’: CJI Ranjan Gogoi tells judge after hearing him argue in court in Hindi. “A Judge may hold his court in Hindi, but he must speak in English when addressing the Supreme Court.

Gogoi, who was hearing an Additional District Judge’s promotion plea, was shocked to hear the judge argue in Hindi in the Apex Court.

“You are a judge of supreme court and during court even, why not you are using English ? The CJI asked to which, the Judge replied that he actually could not speak in English. CJI Ranjan Gogoi then told the judge that he may hold his court in Hindi, & write his judgments in Hindi, but once he comes to the Supreme Court, he must speak in English.

Though high courts and lower courts are allowed to use Hindi and regional languages during arguments as well as in court orders, the language to be used in the Supreme Court and all proceedings in the apex court is English.

This is according to Article 348 of the Constitution of India read with Order VIII of the Rules. The Supreme Court of India Handbook on Practice and Procedure and Office Procedure, 2017, also says: “the language to be used in the Court and all proceedings in the Court, shall be in English”