6 Jan 2009, 0347 hrs IST, Vishal Sharma, TNN
CHANDIGARH:
The cash-in-bag controversy revolving around Punjab and Haryana High Court judges has entered another intriguing stage with chief
justice of India KG Balakrishnan reportedly issuing a notice to justice Nirmal Yadav following the submission of report by the three-member panel constituted to probe the sensational incident.
Having perused details submitted a few days ago by the committee headed by Allahabad High Court chief justice Hemant Laxman Gokhale and comprising Justice KS Radhakrishnan (chief justice of Gujarat High Court) and justice Madan B Lokur (Delhi High Court), the CJI is believed to have issued the notice "through proper channel" on December 26, 2008, seeking a detailed reply from justice Yadav given the backdrop of "judicial impropriety" highlighted in the report. Justice Yadav's connection with the Solan land deal had also come under the panel's scanner.
Not finding any tangible material to fix corruption charges against justices Nirmaljit Kaur and Nirmal Yadav, the committee had concluded that it could not be established that Rs 15 lakh which landed at justice Kaur's residence on August 13 evening (subsequent developments suggested the money was meant for justice Yadav) was aimed at influencing the course of justice and procure a favourable decision.
This major conclusion, said to be based on CBI "status" reports as the panel lacked powers to conduct a criminal investigation, had come as a reprieve to the two beleaguered woman judges, especially justice Yadav, as it took them out of the corruption loop that could have resulted in their removal.
While justice Yadav has consistently denied allegations against her, calling herself a victim of conspiracy, sources said the December notice might be a prelude to an "indictment" in context of the 16-point 'Restatement of Values of Judicial Life' code of conduct adopted by the apex court in 1997.
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Tags : Constitutional Law
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