Justice Patnaik to inquire claim of larger conspiracy to frame CJI: SC

The Supreme Court Thursday appointed former apex court judge Justice A K Patnaik to hold an inquiry into the sensational allegations of a lawyer about "larger conspiracy" to frame Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and fixing of benches in the top court.

The apex court made it clear that inquiry by Justice (retd) Patnaik shall not be with respect to the "alleged misbehaviour" involving the CJI, against whom allegations of sexual allegations have been levelled by a former top court employee.

A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that outcome of inquiry by Justice (retd) Patnaik "shall not affect the in-house procedure/inquiry which is pending in the administrative side."
In its order, the bench said, "As we are appointing Justice A K Patnaik (retd), we request the Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to cooperate with the judge as and when their services are required at any point of time for the purpose of investigation of the matter, especially required by the judge."
"We leave it to the judge to take the assistance of whosoever else his Lordship desires," the bench said, adding, "We request Justice A K Patnaik (retd) to submit a report to this court on the basis of the inquiry as to the allegations mentioned in the affidavits."
Referring to an earlier verdict of the apex court, the bench said, "It is apparent from the above decision that without production of the information, the court cannot be deprived of inspecting the document. The ground raised by Utsav Singh Bains as to privilege is wholly unsustainable. He is bound to disclose the information as may be required."