People's confidence in judiciary affected, ball in CJI's court to resolve issues: Sorabjee

Asserting that people's confidence in the judiciary has been affected due to recent events involving judges of the Supreme Court, eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee has said the "ball lies in the court of the Chief Justice" now to resolve issues through consultations.

In an interview to PTI, he said the judiciary is going through a phase which was "not desirable" and "unfortunate" as it affects the public's confidence in the judiciary, and also in its capacity to dispense free and fearless justice.

"It (functioning of the judiciary) should be done in a harmonious manner and that's the real thing and that's where the ball lies in the court of the Chief Justice. Chief justice should again consult his colleagues in the collegium, talk to them, resolve whatever it is," the former attorney general said.

On the collegium deferring the decision on the Centre sending back a recommendation on elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph to the Supreme Court, Sorabjee said there may be differences, but it is necessary that the collegium should speak in one voice.

He also termed the press conference of four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court raising issues involving Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra as "inappropriate".

"This is not good. I am very distressed, these things really affect the confidence of the litigating public. Then they (public) are not sure whether this judge or that judge will give them justice," he said.

In an unprecedented move, four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court -- J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph-- held a press conference in January in which they had virtually revolted against the CJI by raising a number of issues.

Asked if these developments have affected the confidence of the public in the judiciary, Sorabjee said there is an impact "to some extent" and that is "all the more reason that confidence must be restored by the collegium speaking in one voice."