Justice Markandey Katju
I regard the present Chief Justice of India as a good man. I was his Chief Justice when I was CJ of Delhi High Court, and he was a puisne Judge there.
There was never any complaint against his integrity or competence.
But I am sorry, he has started off his tenure as CJI on a wrong note by praising the odd even car system proposed by AAP. Where was the need for saying this ? Many people doubt the efficacy of the system, and what if the system is challenged in Court ? Will it not create embarrassment for the Judge hearing the case when the head of the judiciary has praised it?
Justice Thakur could have made a general statement that something should be done for reducing air pollution in Delhi, but he should not have gone into specifics.
Arvind Kejriwal, like a seasoned politician, has jumped at the opportunity,and taking advantage of Thakur’s indiscrete statement tweeted;
” CJI’s support 2 odd even formula is welcome n huge encouragement. SC judges pooling cars wud inspire millions 2 follow. Thank u My Lords.”
Justice Katju is a former Supreme Court Judge and views expressed here are his own