New Delhi:
A lawyers' body has criticised retired Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju's recent remarks and said he has "lowered the dignity" of the judiciary by levelling "false allegations" against three ex-Chief Justices of India. (
Justice Markandey Katju's Allegations Confirmed by Ex-Law Minister)
Mr Katju had claimed they had made "improper compromises" under political pressure in the confirmation of an additional judge of the Madras High Court.
"It is surprising that Justice Katju made these false allegations after so many years and even after the death of the concerned judge," said senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala, Chairman of the All India Bar Association.
"Intelligence Bureau reports have not been accepted in so many appointments of High Court and Supreme Court judges. If the said High Court judge was corrupt, then it was obligatory on Justice Katju as chief justice of Madras High Court to seek at least his transfer, if not his impeachment," he said.
The AIBA Chairman said that it is not appropriate for a retired judge and the chairperson of Press Council of India to lower the dignity of judiciary.
"If these allegations were made by some other person, he would have been convicted under the Contempt of Court Act," Mr Aggarwala added.