New Delhi (ILNS): The Bar Council of India (BCI) has strongly criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) levelling serious allegations against Justice N. V. Ramana, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
In a letter to Supreme Court Chief Justice S. A. Bobde, BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra condemned Jagan’s letter, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to demean judges, the entire legal fraternity and the Constitution of India itself.
The BCI, in a statement, said Reddy’s sole aim was to “undermine the independence of the judiciary and browbeat judges to suit his own purposes.”
Mishra said: “BCI is aghast and appalled at the reprehensible move by the Andhra Pradesh chief minister to target Justice N. V. Ramana, who is in line to become the next CJI. Several Judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, including the chief justice, have also been targeted with the sole aim to undermine the independence of the judiciary and browbeat the judges to suit his own purpose.”
The BCI has called upon lawyers to step up and defeat the hidden agendas which disrupt smooth functioning of courts and the administration of justice.
“The Council makes it clear that it has no intention to interfere with the functioning of the office of Chief Justice of India. The Council has always stood to protect the dignity and decorum of the Institution. The lawyers of the Country have always stood behind the Judges whenever any attempt to scandalise the Institution has been made, and the legal fraternity of the country will never tolerate any such evil design of anybody to malign the system,” BCI said.
Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who is facing multiple cases of corruption, had written to the CJI on October 6 alleging that Justice Ramana has been influencing the Andhra Pradesh High Court against his Government. The letter also cast aspersions on the several sitting judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court including the Chief Justice of that High Court.
-ILNS