NEW DELHI : Protest mounts over over Centre nomination of former CJI Ranjan Gogoi for Rajya Sabha seat. The move is seen by many as gross reward for controversial judgments delivered during the former CJI’s stint. This could tarnish the sanctity of judiciary by setting a harmful precedent, opines legal experts and political bigwigs.
The common man’s trust in law and judiciary has been shaken, said Retd. Justice Karun Joseph. CJI Ranjan Gogoi, who once showed great courage to uphold the independence and neutrality of the judiciary has now startled everybody by surrendering those very virtues, said Justice Joseph.
This nomination is not surprising, rather it is the rapid pace that amazes, siad Retd. Justice Madan B Lokar. The move now redefines the independent and impartial aspect of judiciary; has the last of fortresses too crumbled ?, Justic Lokar asked. Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Karun Joseph were among the four judges who in a historic protest, called the press to point out the biasness prevalent at Chief Justice’s desk in allotting cases to Supreme Court Benches. CJI Deepak Mishra headed the apex court at that time.
I expect Justice Ranjan Gogoi to show diligence and reject the Rajya Sabha nomination said former minister and BJP leader Yeshwant Sinha. Justice Ranjan Gogoi would be known as a judge who lay down his personal integrity and that of the judicial system, said famous lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal. The CPI(M) Politburo meanwhile, requested the President to recall Rajya Sabha nomination offered to former CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
