Supreme Court judge reveals attempt made to influence her in ongoing case
New Delhi : Justice Indira Banerjee of the Supreme Court took lawyers by surprise on Thursday, disclosing in an open court room that an attempt was recently made to influence her in an ongoing corporate dispute.
Taking a serious view of the incident, Justice Arun Mishra who was sitting with her, sounded a warning that any person attempting to influence judges of the court would attract contempt proceedings.
Justice Banerjee made the disclosure about an unidentified person calling her while hearing a corporate dispute relating to Hotel Royal Plaza.
She discussed the matter with Justice Mishra and offered to withdraw from the case. But, he advised her against it.
Taking strong objection to the incident, Justice Mishra said some people in the Bar had the habit of dropping names of judges and misleading litigants about the outcome of a case. “Any attempt to influence the judges would invite contempt of court action,” Justice Mishra told the court.
Senior advocate Shyam Divan, who was appearing for one of the parties in the case, confirmed the development to Hindustan Times. He said, “Yes, Justice Banerjee revealed the development in the court on Thursday. Thereafter, I requested the judge not to recuse herself from the case as it would have sent a wrong message.”
Justice Banerjee, who hails from Bengal, was earlier this month administered the oath of office as a judge of the Supreme Court. Before her elevation, she was the chief justice of the Madras High Court.
courtesy : hindustantimes.com
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Gehlot changes profile pic to 'Save Aravalli', asks Centre to reconsider definition
Jaipur (PTI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged the Centre to reconsider its definition of the Aravallis, warning that any damage to the mountain range posed a serious threat to the ecological future of north India.
Gehlot, a former Rajasthan chief minister, changed his social media profile picture in support of the nationwide 'SaveAravalli' campaign amid growing debate over mining and environmental safeguards in the Aravalli Range.
It was his symbolic protest against the new interpretation under which hills lower than 100 metres are no longer being recognised as part of the Aravalli system, he said.
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"The Aravalli cannot be judged by tape measures or height alone. It must be assessed by its ecological importance," Gehlot said, adding that the revised definition raised "a big question" over the future of north India.
Appealing to the Centre and the Supreme Court, Gehlot said the issue must be reconsidered in the interest of future generations and environmental security. He also urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures online to draw attention to the issue.
He said the Aravalli range functioned as a natural green wall against the expansion of the Thar desert and extreme heatwaves, protecting Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Opening up smaller hills and so-called gap areas for mining would allow desertification to advance rapidly, he warned.
Gehlot also flagged concerns over air pollution, saying the hills and forests of the Aravallis acted as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region by checking dust storms and absorbing pollutants.
"When pollution levels are so alarming even with the Aravalli standing, one can imagine how disastrous the situation will be without it," he said.
Highlighting the water crisis, the former chief minister said the rocky terrain of the Aravallis played a crucial role in groundwater recharge by channelising rainwater underground.
"If the hills are destroyed, drinking water shortages will intensify, wildlife will disappear and the entire ecology will be pushed into danger," he said.
Gehlot argued that, from a scientific perspective, the Aravallis was a continuous chain and that even smaller hillocks were as vital as higher peaks.
