Gopal Subramaniam withdraws candidature for appointment as SC judge

Former solicitor general Gopal SubramaniAm on Wednesday withdrew his candidature for the post of Supreme Court judge.

In a letter sent to the Chief Justice of India, Subramaniam requested the latter to withdraw his nomination for judge of the apex court.

"I'm fully conscious that my independence as a lawyer is causing apprehensions that I will not toe the government line. This factor has been decisive in refusing to appoint me," he stated in his letter to the CJI.

The government had apparently received a 'negative' report from the CBI about the lawyer who had represented the UPA Government in the 2G scam. It was also alleged that he has links with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia.

Citing the CBI report, the government had asked the Supreme Court collegium to reconsider Subramaniam's nomination.

However, the government cleared the names of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Arun Mishra, Orissa High Court Chief Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and senior advocate Rohinton Nariman for appointment as SC judges.