HC reserves order on plea for probe into Katju's allegations

The Delhi High Court Wednesday reserved its order on a plea seeking a CBI probe into accusations made by Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju that three former chief justices of India made "improper compromises" to save a tainted Madras High Court judge.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw, hearing the PIL that sought registration of a case against the judges, said: "We will consider the issue and pass the order. The order is reserved."

The petition sought registration of a case and a CBI probe into the matter, saying that even after Justice Katju's revelation on his blog and its subsequent discussion in parliament, the authorities are yet to initiate any legal action.

Filing the plea, advocate R.P. Luthra said: "The information disclosed by Justice Katju, a former SC judge, clearly discloses the commission of various cognisable offences, including the offences covered under Prevention of Corruption Act."

Former Supreme Court judge Katju has alleged that three former chief justices of India made "improper compromises" and succumbed to political pressure during the UPA rule in allowing the judge to continue despite an "adverse" Intelligence Bureau (IB) report on allegations of corruption against him.

The PIL said: "Admittedly, as per the information available in the public domain, the offenders belong to the class that enjoys almost the highest positions in the judiciary."

It added that the incident has "lowered the dignity of our judicial system in the eyes of the general public".