A day after justice Regupathi said he was under pressure from a Union minister, speculation was rife as to who the politician was.
A day after the sensational revelation by justice R Regupathi of the Madras High Court that a Union minister had tried to "strongly influence" him into granting bail to two persons accused in a forged mark sheet case, a section of lawyers reacted strongly and sought the unnamed minister's dismissal.
The anticipatory bail application came up for hearing before justice Regupathi on Monday and the judge lost his cool when counsel for the petitioners complained that he was "passing orders" on the basis of the prosecution's submission alone.
An enraged justice Regupathi then said in court that a Union minister had tried to put pressure on him in the case.
"It is condemnable if a Union minister has tried to influence the judge," Madras High Court Advocates' Association president RC Paul Kanakaraj said. "The judiciary must be independent. If we come to know that some minister has tried to influence the judiciary, then we won't be silent spectators. He has now withdrawn from the case and it is up to the chief justice to decide which other judge will hear the case."
The judge, who had threatened "strong orders" and detailed the "pressure" exerted on him by the "unnamed minister", however, decided to withdraw from the hearing. "He has placed the records before the chief justice for further orders," a high court source said.
"It is very common for judges to act very tough in court hall, but considerably soften their stand back in their chambers," an advocate said. "There have been instances of judges recalling orders passed in the court hall once they reach their chambers."
A section of the high court lawyers, under the banner of Advocates' Forum for Social Justice, have written to the president, prime minister, chief justice of India, Union law minister, chief justice of the Madras High Court, and chairman of the Bar Council of India seeking action against the unnamed minister and Bar Council of Tamil Nadu chairman RK Chandra Mohen for meeting the judge "on behalf of the Union minister".
The letter, signed by forum president K Balu, a Madras High Court advocate, said: "We request you to enquire and to find out the minister to remove him from the council of ministers for his interference in administration of justice in the capacity of Union minister, to safeguard the independence of judiciary. We further request the Bar Council of India to remove RK Chandra Mohen from the post of chairman of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu for professional misconduct and misuse of his official power."
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