New Delhi:
Senior BJP leader and former Minister of Finance Yashwant Sinha on Saturday held a press conference at his Noida residence on the current judicial crisis.
Sinha described the press conference of the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court as ‘absolutely unprecedented’ and that the most important take away when the national interest is at stake ordinary rules of business do not apply.
He, however, made it clear that he does not intend to interfere with the internal matters of the judiciary but whatever the judges said should be probed thoroughly and the findings should be made public in the larger interests of democracy and integrity and honour of judiciary.
He demanded a probe into the circumstances that led the judges to take this step and the cases that they alleged were being referred to ‘selected’ benches and judges.
Taking on his party, Sinha said the senior members of the BJP and senior ministers of the Modi government should look into the matter with utmost urgency and transparency.
He said when four senior-most judges of the apex court are levelling such serious charges against the CJI and others then it seems that the country is heading towards the Emergency like it was way back in 1975.
“I call upon senior ministers to shed their inhibitions and fears and come forward because this is the need of the hour. What the judges have said is the feeling of millions of Indians. They do not either have the opportunity or the courage to express themselves,” said Sinha.
“What the judges are hinting at is loud and clear. I hope we get at the truth of Judge Loya's death. I stand firmly with the four judges and instead of criticising them let us concentrate on the issues raised by them. If the highest court is compromised then democracy is in peril,” added Sinha.
“Where is the parliament of India? Why is there no debate in the Parliament? Who wants that a few cases should be heard by selected judges? These are very pertinent and serious questions that need to be answered.
“Sadly everyone in the BJP and the government is scared of losing their post so no one is taking up this issue. The CJI should call a meeting of all the senior judges and address all the contentious issues to reach a lasting solution,” suggested Sinha.
