Chief Justice RM Lodha criticises Narendra Modi government over the Gopal Subramaniam episode

The Chief Justice of India RM Lodha extended support to senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam, earlier today, criticising the manner in which the Narendra Modi government targeted the former Solicitor General.

"Gopal Subramanium's segregation was done unilaterally," claimed Lodha. "It was done by the Executive without my knowledge and consent," he added. 

The government had earlier returned Supreme Court's recommendation of appointing him as judge with the apex court, with a request to reconsider this decision. Lodha criticised the government for segregating Subramanium in the appointment of SC judges.

Speaking to the media, Subramaniam had said he felt "let down" by the government and the Supreme Court. However, Subramaniam, on Monday, had met with the Chief Justice to explain why he withdrew his candidature. He had written a letter to the Supreme Court collegium requesting him to "withdraw" the recommendation for his elevation as judge of the apex court.

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Former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium was invited become one of the judges of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice of India RM Lodha. However, as much as an honour that would seem, it didn't take very long for matters to go downhill, as the Narendra Modi government returned the recommendation with a request to reconsider this decision. It isn't very often that a sitting government takes the liberty to call the Supreme Court's collegium over its decision making, and had the chief justice chosen to reiterate its nomination of Subramanium, constitutionally, the government would have to comply. But that isn't what happened, and in response, Subramanium withdrew his candidature. Read more