Ex-SC judge Kurian Joseph surprised at ex-colleague Ranjan Gogoi accepting RS nomination

In a sharp reaction to mination of former CJI Ranjan Gogoi to Rajya Sabha, former SC judge Justice Kurian Joseph on Tuesday stated that confidence of common man in independence of judiciary had been shaken. He observed that decision taken by former CJI was surprising because he had exhibited cour to uphold independence of judiciary in past. According to Justice (retd.) Joseph, Gogoi had compromised “ble principles” such as impartiality of judiciary.  

Justice (retd.) Kurian Joseph remarked, “Acceptance of Rajya Sabha mination by former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has certainly shaken confidence of common man in independence of judiciary, which is also one of basic structures of Constitution of India." He added, “I am surprised as to how Justice Ranjan Gogoi who once exhibited such cour of conviction to uphold independence of judiciary, has compromised ble principles on independence and impartiality of judiciary.” 

Read: BIG: Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi Explains Why He Accepted His mination To Rajya Sabha

Participation in a press conference

Justice (retd.) Joseph is a former colleague of Ranjan Gogoi. Along with Justices Chelameswar and Lokur, y held an unprecedented press conference in January 2018 questioning conduct of n CJI Dipak Misra. y raised issues such as allocation of important cases in Supreme Court. On that occasion, Ranjan Gogoi had remarked that y had discharged ir debt towards nation.  

Gogoi, 46th CJI is son of former Assam CM Kesab Chandra Gogoi. In his tenure lasting a little over 13 months, Gogoi delivered key judgments in cases such as  Ayodhya land dispute,  Rafale deal, contempt case against former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Sabarimala review verdict. He retired on vember 17, 2019. Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde succeeded him as next CJI. On Monday, President Ram Nath Kovind minated him to Rajya Sabha to fill vacancy caused due to retirement of senior advocate KTS Tulsi. 

Read: AAP Joins Bandwagon Questioning Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi's mination To Rajya Sabha

minated members 

Out of Rajya Sabha’s total strength of 250 members, President of India has power to minate 12 individuals having special kwledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service. While minated members enjoy all powers, privileges and immunities available to fellow parliamentarians, y cant vote in election of President. Moreover, a minated member is given a period of 6 months to decide wher he wants to join a political party.

Read: Manish Tewari Unfavourably Compares Cong-era Ex-CJI's Rajya Sabha d With Ranjan Gogoi

Read: 'Trust In Judicial System Will Be Eroded': Gehlot Attacks Centre On Gogoi's RS mination