Impeachment: Congress says CJI should consider recusal from judicial work
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala’s remarks came in wake of media reports that the CJI had decided not to recuse himself from administrative and judicial work in the Supreme Court
The Congress on Sunday said Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra should consider recusing himself from judicial and administrative work till he was cleared of the charge of "misbehaviour".
"If his (CJI) own conduct is under a cloud, should he not consider recusing himself from performing judicial and administrative duties and submit himself to an inquiry so that the high office and his individual integrity are cleared or the process of law is followed in an appropriate manner," asked Congress Spokesperson Rajdeep Surjewala.
"The highest (law) officer of the country, an officer who is head of India's judiciary, an officer who heads the final temple of justice, an officer to whom people go to seek justice... Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. And that's why we have left it to his (CJI) conscience," he added.
"This will ensure that the process of law is followed in an appropriate manner." In an unprecedented move, 64 members of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven parties led by the Congress on Friday submitted an impeachment motion for the removal of the Chief Justice on five grounds of "misbehaviour".
Surjewala's remarks came in the wake of media reports that the CJI had decided not to recuse himself from administrative and judicial work in the Supreme Court.
Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Surjewala said "Does the CJI belong to a political party, ruling or otherwise? Does the CJI have to be defended by political parties or Ministers in the government? Is it not a disservice to the CJI office? They are compromising the position and office of the CJI," Surjewala said.
He said that Chief Justice Misra must tell the BJP not to politicise his high office and not to politicise the impeachment motion.
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