Thread by @barandbench

#CourtroomExchange in #MadrasHighCourt during hearing of pleas against TN ban on online poker, online rummy.

Sr Adv AM Singhvi submits that his submission only concerns online rummy, not online poker.

CJ: So you don’t have to be poker-faced.

@DrAMSinghvi: Yes...

#Onlinegames

Discussion veers to issuance of “paternalistic” bans and limits of personal choice.

CJ: I should know better than to have the next burger, but that is my choice ... It is a personal example

Singhvi: It is a personal example to many of us.. and potato chips for that matter

And how they exploit it, they say you can’t stop at one: Chief Justice Banerjee adds

#MadrasHighCourt
#CourtroomExchange

Discussion on legalisation of cannabis ensues. 60% of US States have legalised cannabis, a counsel says

Singhvi adds that one of the most effective ways of arthritic treatment is said to be cannabis oils

#MadrasHighCourt notes that though it may have uses it is still addictive

Singhvi notes that alcohol and cigarettes continue to be legal: "Alcohol is called the gateway drug ... We are close to banning cigarettes. Everything around smoking is banned, but not cigarettes."

#MadrasHighCourt
#CourtroomExchange

Amid reading precedents, Singhvi recalls an anecdote involving Justice Kuldeep Singh and then-AG G Ramaswamy, who he recalls were good friends

“Kuldeep Singh J. was a very excitable person on the bench”, Singhvi recalls. “Court 2 (where he sat) became the green bench.”

Mid-arguments, Justice Singh is recounted as asking Ramaswamy: “Mr Ramaswamy, do you think we can accept this argument? Won't we be called fools?”

Ramaswamy responded: “If I say yes, I will be guilty of contempt. If I say no, it will be guilty of perjury.”

#CourtroomExchange

Singhvi says he was present at the hearing when the incident took place and that Justice Kuldeep Singh was momentarily shaken up, before letting out a huge guffaw.

CJ Banerjee recounts that Ramaswamy was well known for his on the spot wit.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CourtroomExchange

HC mulls whether case should be posted after vacation.

AG says that it shouldn’t be a problem “If fewer people gamble less for another month.” There would be fewer debts, suicides, AG adds

CJ: If people don’t hone their skills, they get rusty. You can look at it that way also

Matter to be heard next on June 7, 8 and 9.

#MadrasHighCourt
#OnlineGames