Justice Katju late in raising corruption in Madras HC: D. Raja

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja said Monday that former Supreme Court judge Justice (retired) Markandeya Katju's move to raise the issue of corruption in the Madras High Court had come too late.

Raja told ANI, "I am aware there were agitations in the state of Tamil Nadu, especially by the judges of high court against a particular judge for corrupt practices. But, the point is, why is Mr. Katju raising this issue right now? What was he doing at that point of time and what does he want?"

"The parliament has been discussing the issue of judicial accountability. Even our party has demanded that it is time India should have a national-level judicial commission so that the judiciary becomes more accountable and can remain independent," he added.

"There are problems with the appointment and transfer of judges. That is why we are demanding that lets have a national (judicial) commission, so that it can be a mechanism for appointment or taking action against the judges - if there are allegations or their conduct is wrong.

The Judicial Commission has become a need of the hour," he added.

Earlier, Justice Katju had said that an additional judge of Madras HC was found guilty of corruption, and even then was given a one year extension, and added that this was not correct.

He also said that he had requested then Chief Justice Lahoti for a secret IB investigation against the additional judge.

"The report corroborated my knowledge, and as one ally of Congress was backing this, they objected to his removal," Katju said.