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Allegation against CJI: Bench given 'proof' of corporates, ex-workers

Advocate Utsav Singh Bains handed a sealed cover which contained evidence on corporate figures using middlemen to influence SC orders and proceedings.

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High drama prevailed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday as a three-judge bench met top bosses of Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau after a lawyer produced evidence to suggest that the recent allegation of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India (CJI) was part of a plot hatched by a corporate figure and middlemen to oust the CJI from his post.

Advocate Utsav Singh Bains handed a sealed cover which contained evidence on corporate figures using middlemen to influence SC orders and proceedings. He also produced CCTV footage and call records to support that two officials — suspended by CJI for tampering with a contempt order against industrialist Anil Ambani — were complicit in the racket.

Bains further claimed that a man approached him on behalf of the employee who has accused the CJI of sexual misconduct, and offered him Rs 1.5 crore in return for helping him defame the top judge.

"We want to get to the root of the matter," the bench said after going through the evidence, "If a person is claiming that (s)he can fix orders in Supreme Court, we want to know who these fixers are and how it is being done." The bench said no CJI has had the courage to act against such malpractices in the past. "The action was taken by this CJI is the first in history. He is taking action without fear of anybody on earth. It's a serious issue whether the judicial system can be controlled from remote sources," the judges said.

To protect the evidence collated by Bains, the bench met the CBI, IB and Delhi Police chiefs at 12.45 pm to seize all "incriminating" material. When the bench assembled again at 3 pm, Bains submitted yet another affidavit in a sealed cover. This supposedly contained evidence that the two sacked SC employees — Tapan Chakraborty and Manav Sharma — had ganged up with alleged middlemen Romesh Sharma to fix listing of cases in the court.

"This should stop, otherwise, the Supreme Court will not remain," the bench said. "We cannot close our eyes to such complaints or else the entire country's faith in us will be lost." Attorney General KK Venugopal pointed out that Bains had not supported his information with an affidavit and is claiming privilege on half of the evidence.

The court will decide on Thursday whether privilege can be claimed over the evidence filed in a sealed cover and directed the lawyer to support his information with an affidavit. The court also directed the Centre to extend police protection to Bains until it passes further orders.

Timely Game

  • To protect evidence collated by Bains, the bench met CBI, IB and Delhi police chiefs at 12.45 pm to seize all “incriminating” material. 
  • At 3 pm, Bains submitted yet another affidavit in a cover
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