BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi on Wednesday made a stunning confession stating that the judges were being transferred on the basis of reports obtained from the Intelligence Bureau. Speaking in the parliament, Lekhi even suggested that IB reports on some judges should be made public.
Speaking on the recent anti-Muslim carnage in Delhi said, “And some judges, I don’t want to name them. Some judges believe that the police must not act unless protesters turn violent. Now, who will decide when protesters turn violent. And the judges named by them (opposition leaders), they have the experience of appointing and dictating orders. They don’t know that the government doesn’t transfer them (judges) without recommendations and the transfer was done a long ago.”
Lekhi’s reply had come in the wake of some opposition members raising the issue of Delhi High Court judge Justice S Muralidhar’s transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court the day he slammed the questionable role of the Delhi Police during the pogrom. Lekhi said, “I say that the IB report on some of them (judges) should be made public. Everyone will understand why their transfers have taken place.”
When Justice Muralidhar was transferred, several BJP leaders had defended the move stating that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was merely acting on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. However, Lekhi on Wednesday implied that Justice Muralidhar under the scanner of the IB.
Lekhi’s stunning admission evoked angry reactions from legal experts. Noted Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, “Meenakshi Lekhi says in Lok Sabha that Judges transfers are being made on the basis of IB reports! Is there any doubt left that the Modi govt is using the IB to browbeat the judiciary?”
Meenakshi Lekhi says in Lok Sabha that Judges transfers are being made on the basis of IB reports! Is there any doubt left that the Modi govt is using the IB to browbeat the judiciary?
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) March 11, 2020
Netizens too took to social media to question Lekhi’s sensational disclosure with some raising questions on how a ruling party MP was privy to IB reports on judges.
How did an MP get access to IB reports? @M_Lekhi should be investigated. How can she talk about judges like that?
— ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨਾਗਰਿਕ (@akdwaaz) March 12, 2020
Its an open secret that IB blackmail is the reason why many judges are kow-towing before the regime,
But Ms. Lekhi shown the audacity to say how they are managing! https://t.co/2gf4AfMfLn
— James Wilson (@jamewils) March 11, 2020
Chief Justice of India should take notice of BJP MP remark “If IB reports are shown then real reason behind transfer of Judges will be known” & seek reply from IB & BJP on 3 Q’s:
1. Is there such IB Report?
2.Did IB show this to a MP?
3. In what capacity did MP c these reports?— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) March 12, 2020
Very harmful aspect of Lok Sabha debate on #DelhiViolence is how both the BJP speakers attacked the judiciary. Meenakshi Lekhi said IB reports of judges should be made public, Sanjay Jaiswal accused judiciary of contributing to violence. Seems an effort to intimidate
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) March 11, 2020
BJP’s Meenakshi Lekhi said in Lok Sabha that Intelligence Bureau (IB) maintains files on judges.
Filed an RTI with the IB on
– whether this is standard operating procedure
– which judges have a file on them, &
– have also asked for a copy of the IB file on Justice Muralidhar pic.twitter.com/0yVSnQ6HND— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) March 12, 2020
Justice Muralidhar was transferred the day he came down heavily on the Delhi Police for the latter’s refusal to act against BJP leaders, who were accused of making provocative speeches ahead of the Delhi violence that killed 53 people, mostly Muslims.
