The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on the suo motu case against a Lokpal order bringing High Court judges under its ambit. The top court stayed the Lokpal’s order during the previous hearing.
Hearing the matter, a bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai adjourned the hearing on the matter to April 15, considering a seven-member bench would have to hear the plea. The bench also appointed senior counsel Ranjit Kumar as amicus curiae in the case. The bench also decided to mask the name of the complainant who petitioned against High Court judges considering confidentiality. The bench had earlier advised the complainant to keep his petition against the sitting High Court judge confidential.
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The apex court took suo motu cognisance against a Lokpal order which held the anti-corruption body can entertain petitions against sitting High Court judges. The Supreme Court held the Lokpal order was “very, very disturbing” and observed the matter was of great importance. The apex court also stayed the order.
The Lokpal in January, considering a petition filed against a sitting additional judge of a High Court, held judges of the High Court established come within the ambit of Section 14 of the Lokpal Act 2013.
As per the complaint, the judge allegedly influenced another judicial officer of the same High Court and an additional district judge in the state, who had to deal with a suit filed against the complainant by a private company, to favour that firm, PTI reported. Allegedly, the private firm was a client of the judge while he was practising as a lawyer.