In a shocking incident, the four senior most Supreme Court Judges right under Chief Justice Dipak Misra held a sudden press conference. The four Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph stated there was an urgency to protect democracy as the highest Institute in the Country was compromised.
The four Justices explain that they failed to convince CJI Misra of the urgent need to preserve the judiciary system. The press conference was held at Justice Chelameswar’s residence at 4, Tughlaq Road in New Delhi.
At the press conference, Chelameswar was quoted saying, “It’s an extraordinary event in the history of any nation and in the history of this institution. It’s not a political meeting. Sometimes the administration of the Supreme Court (SC) is not in order and many things which are less than desirable have happened in the last few months.”
He further added, “About a couple of months ago, the four of us gave a signed letter to CJI. We wanted a particular thing to be done in a particular manner. It was done, but in such a way that it raised further questions on integrity of institution. The same thing happened this morning when the four of us went to meet the CJI with a specific request, but unfortunately we couldn’t convince him that we are right and appropriate action needs to be taken. Therefore, we are left with no choice except to communicate it to the nation.”
Justice Chelameswar further explained, “All our efforts have failed and we are all convinced that unless this institution is preserved, and it maintains its equanimity democracy will not survive in this country. The hallmark of a good democracy is an impartial and independent judiciary.”
Justice Gogia stated, “We place it before people of country. It is the discharge of a debt to the nation that has brought us here and to tell the nation what is what.”
This is the first time in India’s history that the Supreme Court Judges have asked the nation to decided CJI Misra’s impeachment. There has been a long standing rift between the top most judges and the head of SC Misra. The issue is the allotment of cases, according to the Judges CJI Misra has assigned high profile cases to judges lower than the top five judges in the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted the Law Minister R. S. Prasad and discussed the allegations made by the four Supreme Court Judges. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra will address the media in the afternoon along with the Attorney General.
