CJI Sathasivam owes me an apology, says Altamas Kabir

Former Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir on Friday said he was wrongly indicted by his successor CJI P Sathasivam and said he is owed an apology. Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kabir said: “I agree it was an indictment, but not a correct one.. I feel hurt about it and I will take some action if this court turns out to be true.” “After I saw the news report on the Times of India, I called up Sathasivam and asked him if he said such a thing, he denied it. I even spoke to the other judge on the bench who also denied any such statement was made. I will get it in writing from them and then consider taking action against the newspaper,” he added. [caption id=“attachment_988379” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of former CJI Altamas Kabir. AFP[/caption] The former CJI also defended his verdict on NEET, saying his judgement was based on the legality of MCI’s decision and not whether or not students were benefitting. Kabir said he was unaware if the NEET judgement on medical entrance exams was leaked, saying the draft copy of the judgement was given to Justice Dave one week before the judgement was delivered. When asked about corruption in the judicial system, Kabir said he did not think there was corruption at the Supreme Court level and said the concern showed by the media and public was exaggerated. On the controversial collegium system currently in place, the former CJI said “under the present circumstances the collegium system is the best available one.”