A Supreme Court hearing on industrial alcohol took a surprisingly "spirited" turn on Tuesday. In a candid exchange, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud couldn't resist a playful jab at senior advocate Dinesh Dwivedi after he showed up to the courtroom with colourful hair.
"Apologies for my colourful grey hair," Dwivedi began, blaming the hues on overzealous Holi celebrations and grandchildren. "This is the disadvantage of having too many children and grandchildren around. You can't save yourself."
Chief Justice Chandrachud, with a smile, countered, "Nothing to do with the alcohol?"
Dwivedi, clearly a man who wears his love for the amber nectar on his sleeve (or rather, in his glass), chuckled and confessed, "It does. Holi means partly alcohol... and I must confess... I am a fan of whiskey."
During the course of the hearing, Dwivedi elaborated on his fondness for a snifter of scotch and when he almost got in trouble for it.
"I prefer single malt whiskey. I went to Edinburgh, which is the Mecca of single malt whiskey. I wanted to put some ice cubes and the waiter was offended, [saying] that you have to drink it neat and you cannot mix anything. There is a separate glass for it. The first time I came to know about it," he said.
Laughter rippled through the courtroom as the nine-judge Constitution Bench, grappling with the serious issue of overlapping powers between the Centre and state governments on industrial alcohol production, witnessed this lighthearted exchange.
The real question at hand? Whether "industrial alcohol" is the same beast as everyone's favourite weekend tipple, "intoxicating liquor."
Advocate Dwivedi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh, argued that all forms of alcohol, from the industrial kind to the celebratory kind (think whiskey, vodka, the whole gang), fall under state control.
One judge, clearly not unfamiliar with the revenue-generating power of liquor, quipped, "The argument of states is that whether intoxicating drinks bring joy to human beings or not, it should bring joy to state revenue."
Another judge also engaged in light banter with Dwivedi. "You explained how some alcohol requires ageing to improve taste, while others don't; some are fair in colour while others are dark. Would a material exhibit help?" – a question that sent the court into peals of laughter.
While the legalities of industrial alcohol may seem dry, this Supreme Court hearing proved that even the highest court can have a moment of levity, all thanks to a touch of Holi cheer and a self-confessed whiskey lover.
