The controversy in the highest judiciary is attaining political colours. The CPI (M) on Tuesday said it’s in talks with Opposition parties to bring an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Mishra in the Budget session of Parliament.
CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told media persons that suggestions in this regard have already come from Opposition parties, and the Left parties have started talks with them. Yechury said he met NCP leader Tariq Anwar and rebel JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav.
"It was time that the legislature and the executive come together to resolve the crisis as the judiciary has been unable to address the issues raised by the four senior apex court judges. The unprecedented development had sent shockwaves across the judiciary and polity. These are very grave issues which have been raised.
"We want the integrity and the independence of the judiciary to be established. And in the wake of the issues raised by the four senior judges, we had hoped that the issues will be resolved within the judiciary. Now nearly two weeks have passed, nothing seems to have happened. So I think the other wings of our democracy, the executives and the legislature will have to also come together to ensure the integrity and the independence of the judiciary," said Yechury.
That the Left has a keen interest in the infighting in the highest judiciary was being suspected when CPI MP D Raja lost no time in visiting and meeting Justice J Chelameswar at the latter's residence soon after he along with the three other seniormost judges came out openly against the CJI by addressing a press conference.
While Raja defended his meeting saying he knew Justice Chelameswar for long, the Left parties publicly admonished him for taking the step.
"CJI Misra set to start the hearing in the Ayodhya case from February 8 too seems to be playing a part in all the political maneuverings. A section of lawyers with certain political affiliations has already expressed their stance on the issue public," observers said.
The four senior judges of the Supreme Court, justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, had virtually revolted against the CJI on January 12, raising questions on "selective" case allocation and certain judicial orders at a press conference.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi also convened a press conference on the same day expressing displeasure on the turn of events in Supreme Court. He demanded an independent probe on the death of Judge Loya, who was hearing the encounter killing case of Sohrabuddin, where BJP President Amit Shah was also chargesheeted and later discharged.
"Suggestions have come from other opposition parties that we should consider an impeachment motion. Discussions are on. So let us see. By the time the parliament session begins on January 29, something concrete will emerge. The issue is being discussed within the opposition parties. By 29 (Jan), the matter will be clear," Yechury told PTI.
The CPI(M) leader felt that even though nearly two weeks have passed since the four senior judges raised issues against the CJI, the crisis has not been resolved within the judiciary. The opposition leaders, including from Congress, are in touch with each other and very soon they are likely to decide on a meeting to finalise their strategy, said opposition leaders who are favouring impeachment motion.