AIADMK demands probe into allegations of graft in judiciary

Former SC judge Katju alleged DMK and UPA interference in the appointment of a Madras HC judge

AIADMK members in Lok Sabha today sought an enquiry into the allegations of corruption in judiciary made by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, charging DMK and the erstwhile UPA government with "interfering" in the appointment of a Madras High Court judge.

"It is a serious matter ... The previous government and the DMK interfered in the appointment of a corrupt judge," AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said during Zero Hour, demanding a probe into the allegations by the government.

"The Law Minister should respond to the allegations made by Katju. We urge him to hold an enquiry ... To find out who is the judge, how DMK pressurised the previous government by saying the government will fall....," he said as AIADMK members were on their feet and some in the aisle to demand a statement from the government.

Though Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was present in the House, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot compel the government to make a statement during Zero Hour.

Congress members were on their feet with senior leader Amarinder Singh trying to raise a point of order saying rules did not permit a discussion on a Supreme Court or a High Court judge in the House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said a point of order has been raised, let it be heard and the Speaker would decide.

To this, Mahajan said point of order cannot be raised during the Zero Hour and she had not allowed a discussion on the issue.

Katju, currently Chairman of Press Council of India, has stirred a controversy by alleging that three ex-Chief Justices of India had compromised in giving extension to an additional judge of the Madras High court at the instance of UPA government in the wake of pressure from one of its allies, apparently DMK.