CJI in arbitrary manner cannot send sensitive cases to handpicked benches of junior judges : Ex-judges in letter

A group of jurists have written to the Chief Justice of India, stating that sensitive and important cases including pending ones must be dealt with by a Constitution Bench of five senior-most judges.

The jurists are former Supreme Court judges PB Sawant, AP Shah, K Chandra & H Suresh and in the letter they have said that while the Chief Justice is the master of the roster, it does not mean that it (selection of judges) can be done in an arbitrary manner that sensitive and important cases are sent to handpicked benches of junior judges."

Breaking: Eminent jurists write open letter to CJI. ".. important that all sensitive and important cases including pending ones, be dealt with by a Constitution Bench of 5 senior-most judges," letter says. Jurists are ex-Judges PB Sawant, AP Shah, K Chandra & H Suresh. @dna

— Maneesh Chhibber (@maneeshchhibber) January 14, 2018

Breaking: Jurists tells CJI, while he is master of roster, "this does not mean that it can be done in arbitrary manner that, sensitive and imp cases are sent to hand picked benches of junior judges". Seek norms for distribution of cases which are rational, fair & transparent @dna

— Maneesh Chhibber (@maneeshchhibber) January 14, 2018

The jurists have now sought norms for distribution of cases that ensure rationality, fairness and transparency.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India panel is likely to meet the Chief Justice of India later on Sunday evening.

The development comes a day after the Bar Council formed a 7-member panel that will attempt to mend the differences between the senior Supreme Court judges and the Chief Justice of India.

In a press conference on Saturday, Bar Council Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra  said that ‘our delegation will meet Chief Justice Dipak Misra and those four senior judges to request them to resolve the issue internally.’

Meanwhile, Justice Kurian Joseph, one of the four senior Supreme Court judges who revolted against the CJI to “save the institution and democracy”, said on Saturday that they acted solely in the interest of judiciary and justice.

On Friday, the four judges — ranked second to fifth in order of seniority — had said they were “left with no choice but to communicate with the nation,” since all efforts at trying to convince CJI Misra on various issues had failed. Read that letter here