Delhi HC to hear plea for CBI probe into Katju's charges against ex-CJIs

New Delhi: On August 1, the Delhi High Court will hear a plea demanding CBI undertakes an investigation into Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju’s allegations that three former Chief Justices of India made “improper compromises” to save a tainted Madras High Court judge. The petition, which also sought registration of an FIR in the matter, was listed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini which has fixed the matter for hearing on August 1. The petition, filed by advocate R P Luthra, has contended that as per the allegations of former Supreme Court judge Katju, commission of various cognizable offences, including those under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC, have been disclosed. [caption id=“attachment_1641667” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Markandey Katju. Image courtesy: Facebook[/caption] “The petitioner most humbly submits that the information disclosed by Justice Markandey Katju, clearly disclosed the commission of various cognizable offences including offences covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, screening offenders under the IPC and, admittedly, these offences are cognizable offences for which a vide publicity was given through electronic and print media. “That, however, to the knowledge of the petitioner, none of the authorities responsible have initiated appropriate legal action,” the petition said. Katju had alleged that the three former CJIs – Justices R C Lahoti, Y K Sabharwal and K G Balakrishnan – made “improper compromises” and “succumbed to political pressure” in allowing the judge to continue despite an “adverse” Intelligence Bureau (IB) report on allegations of corruption against him. He had alleged that the former CJIs had compromised at the instance of UPA government in the wake of pressure from one of its allies, apparently DMK. “These three former CJIs made improper compromises. Justice Lahoti who started it, then Justice Sabharwal and then Justice Balakrishnan. These are CJIs who can surrender. Is a CJI going to surrender to political pressure or not going to surrender to political pressure?” Katju, who became the Chief Justice of Madras High Court in November 2004, had told a news channel. PTI