Corrupt judge charge: Justice Katju controversy rocks parliament
BJP MP's continues to counter Manmohan Singh on Katjus allegations
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-07-23 02:05 GMT
New Delhi: The Parliament was adjourned for the second consecutive day with AIADMK members raising the issue of PCI chairman Justice Katju’s allegation yet again.
The MPs forced the adjournments even as law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Lok Sabha that the person in question was made a permanent judge after the department of justice, with the approval of the then law minister, H.R. Bhardwaj wjo in 2005 wrote to the collegium indicating “certain sensitivity.”
Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, the Union law minister said the judge in question was appointed in 2003 and subsequently the collegium had certain reservations after which they sought certain inquiries.
“On 16th of July 2005, to be precise, a note went from the then department of justice with the approval of the then law minister indicating certain sensitivity. A call was taken by the collegium that his case can be considered for some extension and he was made permanent,” Mr Prasad said.
The statement more or less corroborates the allegations made by Justice Katju that a regional party wanted the judge to remain in his post despite corruption charges against him.
The BJP asked former PM Manmohan Singh and the Congress to answer allegations of “improper compromises” by three CJIs during UPA rule, saying the matter was “unfortunate. Dr Singh, however said that he had nothing to add to what his former law minister has already stated.