D. Krishna Mohan vs. Hon'ble Secretary, Hon'ble Supreme Court Legal Service Committee and Ors.
Background
The petitioner, appearing in person, sought review of the Court's earlier decision in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 297 of 2019 concerning the Supreme Court Legal Service Committee, and separately applied for the review petition to be listed and heard in open court with permission to argue in person.
Decision Breakdown
The Court first rejected the application for an open-court hearing, and consequently also declined the request for the petitioner to appear and argue in person (review petitions are ordinarily decided through circulation/chamber hearing unless the Court directs otherwise). Examining the grounds raised in the review petition itself, the Court found no reason justifying interference with its earlier order and dismissed the review petition.
Lesson Learnt
Review petitions are ordinarily considered in chambers without an open-court hearing, and a petitioner has no automatic right to an oral, in-person open-court hearing on review. The Court will only reconsider its earlier decision where genuine grounds for interference are shown.