Delhi Underground

Classy cop

Policemen were puzzled by a senior IPS officer’s ‘fine’ taste in interior decoration. It is learnt that the officer,who was recently transferred to Police Headquarters,got office furniture changed thrice in the past few months. All other senior officers were wondering whether their colleague would have got the furniture changed so many times if he was paying for it.

Catnapping officials

The failure of the Northern Grid allowed several government officials a chance to rest. With seniors stepping out of office,New Delhi Municipal Council staff were caught napping on couches,benches and tables. Some were heard saying,“We are lucky to have a power cut in such pleasant weather. We can sleep till power returns. Such opportunities are rare.”

Local support

On Day 10 of Team Anna’s fast,there was a sudden rush of people as Gen (retd) V K Singh reached Jantar Mantar. Over 500 people from Singh’s village in Bhiwani,Haryana,had come to see the former Army chief. Heads of 50 villages had brought these people. Before Singh’s arrival the ‘protesters’ were busy eating ice creams outside the venue. As soon as his arrival was announced,they rushed in with their beverages and ice creams.

Pampering the media

Journalists were pampered by supporters of Team Anna at Jantar Mantar. While an angry crowd had surrounded them earlier in the week,towards the end of the week water was brought,seats were arranged and journalists were cheered,in a dramatic turn of events. One night,a group of protesters slept in the media enclosure. They were rudely woken up by volunteers,who said,“Please shift. You are encroaching the space of some of the most important members of the movement by Team Anna members.”

Arguing their case

Lawyers are said to be argumentative by nature. A shouting match between two lawyers eager to prove a point in court is not uncommon. Delhi High Court’s Acting Chief Justice has an interesting way of dealing with such episodes. During a recent PIL on night shelters in Delhi,a heated argument broke out between two lawyers over who should head a committee to look into the issue. “Why won’t you trust the government,why do you want your own people on this committee?” the government counsel asked. The NGO counsel replied,“Because the government is not doing anything about it. If the government had taken an interest in the issue we would not be in court now.” The verbal volleys continued until the Chief Justice covered his ears. “I can’t hear you,” he said with a smile. When both lawyers stopped arguing,he said,“If you’ve finished arguing,I will pass directions.”