CPI national secretary K. Narayana on Saturday alleged that the Prime Minister’s Office and the Prime Minister were meddling in the matters of the judiciary, and the open dissent of four sitting Supreme Court Judges against the Chief Justice of India (CJI) was the best example.
Addressing the media here, Mr. Narayana said the discontent among the Judges was simmering for quite some time.
“But public defiance will erode the credibility of the apex court in the eyes of the common people,” he said, and added, “If the crisis continues, democracy will be at stake.” He cited several examples that cast doubts on the non-partisan functioning of the Supreme Court owing to the alleged “pressure” from the PMO.
“Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kailkho Pul had committed suicide. In the suicide note he had purportedly written, Mr. Pul accused an SC Judge of graft. Similarly, there is something fishy about the medical admission scam in Odisha, Sohrabuddin encounter case, and the death of special CBI Judge B.H. Loya. All these cases should be reopened,” he demanded.
Mr. Narayana said the PMO and the Prime Minister were keen on exercising control over the judiciary and the Supreme Court. “They have even meddled with the Collegium matters,” he alleged.
He said many political commentators felt that the four Judges had come out publicly as they had just four months to retire from service. “Instead of questioning their timing, the government should act on facts,” Mr. Narayana said.
