CJAR starts crowdfunding to fight against 'unjust' SC judgment

After the Supreme Court imposed a Rs 25 lakh cost on Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) that had sought a court-monitored SIT probe into the allegation of graft involving a retired judge of Orissa High Court, the NGO said it has decided to fight this "unjust judgement" and put out a crowdfunding appeal.

"The Campaign has decided to fight this unjust judgement and we are seeking a review and other legal remedies. A statement has also been issued by former judges and others for supporting the campaign," said the CJAR in a statement.

"In response to the suggestions by a large number of well wishers, the Campaign decided to put out a crowdfunding appeal for taking forward the campaign and if that eventuality arises, to also use the money for paying the costs imposed on the Campaign," it added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against retired Orissa High Court judge I.M. Quddusi and others for hatching a conspiracy to help a Lucknow-based medical college to get over the bar on admitting students for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic year, assuring a favourable order from the court.

The CJAR had moved the top court on November 8 seeking probe by a SIT headed by a former Chief Justice of the top court to probe the allegation against Quddusi and other middlemen. On December 1, the apex court had imposed a Rs 25 lakh cost on the NGO while dismissing the plea.

The court had earlier on November 14 rejected an identical petition by lawyer Kamini Jaiswal as it described the allegations as "scandalous" and had observed that the whole controversy has damaged the image of the top judiciary and created doubts about its integrity.

--IANS

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