Citing Justice Kurian Joseph’s remarks on ex-CJI Dipak Misra,the Congress on Monday said that it proves the interference of the present government in the highest levels of judiciary, and demanded separate parliamentary and judicial inquiries into the matter.
Addressing the media at a press conference, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “No less than a Supreme Court judge who demitted office a couple of days ago… has expressly articulated the grave threat to India’s highest judicial institution.”
He further alleged, “Justice Joseph has in clear and unequivocal terms talked of the arbitrary bench selection, external influences, by implication remote controls, and political biases injected into the system by the government of India, by the ruling party.”
Singhvi clarified, “The Congress was not concerned about how the judicial organ looks at such things because it was fully competent to deal with it, but it was concerned about the accountability owed by the government.”
He added, “The Congress, demands a response from Prime Minister Modi.”
Meanwhile Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “It has become clear that the Modi government was using the CJI as its puppet.”
Condemning the alleged unconstitutional attitude of BJP, Sanghvi added,”The nation rightfully wants to know the true nature, the true extent, the degree and the subject matter of the interference of the government. We further condemn this unconstitutional, invasive and illegal effort by the government.”
He also alleged further by saying,”The government has become known for its dirty tricks department and for the abysmal erosion of bodies like the CBI, the Lokpal, the CIC, universities and now the Supreme Court.”
Taking a dig at the government he said, “I would call this a government of the interfering, by those who have much to hide and for cover up of its misdeeds.”
“We therefore need independent and separate parliamentary and judicial inquiry,” he said.
When asked if Congress is demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe, he said: “Ultimately, a parliamentary inquiry will have to be a JPC.”