PIL filed in Delhi High Court demanding CBI probe into Katju’s allegations

A PIL has reportedly been filed in the matter relating to Justice Katju’s allegations regarding the conduct of three former Chief Justices of India, CJIs Justice Lahoti, Justice Sabharwal and Justice K.G. Balakrishnan in granting extension and confirming a corrupt judge.

This PIL, filed by advocate R.P. Luthra, demands a CBI probe into the matter, stating,
“The information disclosed by Justice Katju, former SC judge, clearly discloses the commission of various cognizable offences including the offences covered under prevention of corruption Act”.

He has sought registration of a case, reasoning that the revelation by Justice Katju hasn’t triggered any legal action yet, even after the discussions in the Parliament.

“Admittedly, as per the information available in the public domain, the offenders belong to the class who enjoys almost the highest positions in the judiciary,” the PIL said adding that the incident has “lower-down the dignity of our judicial system in the eyes of general public.”

The PIL stated, “To avoid further damage also to ensure that no such incident shall happen in the future, the authorities concern ought to have initiated a legal action as required under section 154 /157 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 for commission of such cognizable offenses.”

It added, “Since the offences relate to the prevention of corruption Act and screening of offenders, that too, with deep-rooted conspiracy and hence, there is no other efficacious remedy available, except of filing of the present petition”.

Last week, a division bench of the Bombay High court in Nagpur comprising of Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice S.B. Shukre, refused to entertain a writ petition filed by Nagpur- based lawyer Uday Dastane, who claimed that by airing Katju’s allegations, the news channels were bringing disrespect and bad name to the judiciary. He had hence demanded that the Court should interfere and ban the media from airing and publishing the controversial news immediately. Read the LiveLaw story here.

The controversy began with former Supreme Court Judge and present Chairman of Press Council of India, Mr. Markandey Katju posted shocking revelations on Facebook.

Read the Facebook post here.

Read the jurists opinion over the controversy here.

Read the six questions posted by Katju to Justice Lahoti here.

Also read, Judgment in Shanti Bhushan and another Vs Union of India (2007) echoes Justice Katju’s allegations.