DID INDIA HAVE ‘UNCLE’ CHIEF JUSTICE TOO?

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)

Nothing can be more disgraceful for Indian judicial system when a former Chief Justice of India was caught by TV cameras first lying and then backtracking from his earlier stand on being countered for his lie by a sitting judge of Supreme Court on question of the then Union Minister A Raja said to have approached Justice R Raghupati of Madras High Court through minister’s lawyer-friend.

Fortunately India presently has a Chief Justice known for honesty and integrity. But present system cannot avoid posting of some undesirable person as head of Indian judiciary. Chief Justice SH Kapadia should direct that all judges from lower courts to Supreme Court to compulsory make complete details of approaches and influences immediately on the case-files apart from reporting these to respective Chief Justices, and all such reporting should be in public domain. He should ensure fast-track decision on Supreme Court’s petition at Supreme Court against CIC-verdict allowing to provide all correspondence and information relating to Justice R Raghupati having been approached by a Union Minister.

It was wrong on part of Union Law Minister to recues himself from the bitter episode by terming it merely as opinion-difference of two judges. Union government has duty to ensure legislation for ensuring non-entry of ‘rotten eggs’ and ‘Uncle’ judges in Indian judicial system. Union government should also reject plea of former CJI KG Balakrishnan to dilute RTI Act in respect of judiciary. Union government should publicly seek resignation of Justice KG Balakrishnan from post of NHRC chairperson in case he does not resign at his own.