Former Supreme Court judge to probe ‘conspiracy' against CJI

A.K. Patnaik will look into the material and affidavits provided by advocate Bains

- Krishnadas Rajagopal

The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed its former judge, Justice A.K. Patnaik, to probe the affidavits filed by a young lawyer that a larger conspiracy hatched by a powerful lobby of fixers, disgruntled court employees and corporate figures is at work to compromise the functioning of the highest judiciary.

Justice Patnaik’s inquiry would focus on the material and affidavits provided by advocate Utsav Singh Bains, who claimed that a plot was on to target the judiciary, including Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The Bench said Mr. Bains could not withhold any information from Justice Patnaik by claiming privilege.

To verify claims

Justice Patnaik would test Mr. Bains’ claim that he was approached by a person called ‘Ajay’ in early April. He was offered up to ₹1.5 crore to file a false case against the CJI. This man, the lawyer said, claimed to be a relative of the former Supreme Court staffer who has since levelled sexual harassment allegations against the Chief Justice.

The Bench repeatedly clarified that the probe into the existence of a larger conspiracy would not eclipse the allegations of sexual harassment raised by the former employee, which are being examined separately by an in-house inquiry committee of three judges.