This is for the first time that constitutional
authority, no less than the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan
Reddy has levelled direct allegations against another very high
constitutional authority NV Ramana, who is the second senior-most judge
of the Supreme Court of India. Mr Reddy has not minced words and said that
Justice Ramana has been acting against him and his government. Some judges of
the Andhra Pradesh High Court are not only in cahoots with Justice Ramana, but
they are working at his instance to often put the government in a spot. As
a result of it, the developmental works of his government are getting hampered.
This is no longer an issue between two individuals but it is now a matter
between the two rather all three pillars
of democracy.
Mr Jagan Reddy’s letter to the Chief
Justice of India Justice AS Bobde against Justice Ramana, who is in the line to
become the next Chief Justice of India, should not be consigned to the dustbin
by dismissing as frivolous and baseless. It should be taken with all
seriousness that it demands because it is the question of the integrity and
majesty of the Judiciary. Mr Reddy has not written any anonymous letter in a surreptitious
manner. He has said it publicly and the former Chief Secretary of the State,
who is now an advisor to the Chief Minister has circulated it to the media and
that is the reason that his letter has come into the public domain has assumed
significance.
One wishes that what Mr Reddy has said is
found to be wrong, but can this matter be allowed to rest at that? Only a
proper enquiry by some top judges and the at least two chief justices of the
High-Courts should be formed to probe into the matter as that will restore the solid
faith of the people in the judiciary.
In fact, Justice Ramana should himself
volunteer for an independent enquiry to come clean of all allegations. If the
high-powered independent enquiry finds that allegations are wrong and motivated
then the contempt of court proceedings must be initiated against Mr Reddy and
the harshest punishment should be meted out to him and he should be declared
unworthy of holding any post, be it elective or nominated. That will serve as a
deterrent for others from making any allegations against any judge of the High
Court or the Supreme Court.
Trust and impartiality are the sine
qua non of the judiciary and it should be saved and protected steadfastly by
everyone but more so, by the judges themselves. It must begin right from the
time of the selection and appointment of the judges. NJAC was a step forward in
that direction for instilling confidence among the people about the impartial
appointment of judges but that was spiked by the constitution bench of the
Supreme Court.
One fails to understand as to why many Bar
Associations are bending backwards to trenchantly criticise Jagan Mohan Reddy.
It defies all logic why anybody should be condemned without confronting him/her
in an impartial enquiry. The one-sided view
is anathema to the judicial system and yet some Bar Associations are passing
the judgments. It is unfair, to say the least. Therefore, in all fairness,
Justice Ramana should himself keep away from judicial works and ask for the
constitution of the independent enquiry committee, which should be asked to conduct
and submit its report in a time frame.
This will go a long way in enhancing the prestige
of the judiciary. Ethical values play an especially important role in the glory
of a person and the profession. Justice bereft of morality is like a body
without the soul, which should be burnt or buried.
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