A JUDGE RECALLS!

After retirement it is despicable for a judge to publicly speak about the corruption prevalent in higher judiciary during his active service period. He cannot absolve himself of any responsibility when he was fully aware of what was happening,  by simply pointing fingers. He proves himself a moral coward when he passes on the buck to the CJ of SC to take action and hold the bag. His accusation of several CJs that they did not act upon his reports because they did not want to rock the boat, first applies to himself.

Quite possibly he got the post retirement job of Chairman of Press Council because the government and the judiciary at the time of his retirement, were aware of his complaints and thought unless he was kept happy with some job, he might spill the beans embarrassing both. Did you know that he retired as SC judge on 19th September, 2011 and was nominated as Chairman, Press Council on 5th October the same year! Just within less than three weeks! Real fast action by government! Probably, having been an 'honorable' judge most of his working life, he kept his side of the bargain and did not spill the beans as long as the Congress Government to which he had pledged his silence. But once that Government went out of power for good and he is due to retire in the first week of October this year, he is trying to ingratiate himself with the new Government so that, who knows, it may extend his term of office as Chairman of Press Council for another term. He had been asked several times by media why he kept silent all these years and his reply had been "Don't bother about it; bother about the prevailing corruption."

Nobody in this country will openly or by insinuation accuse any sitting judge fearing immediate action against him for maligning a sitting judge, even before the accusation is investigated. Even if the ruling party is inclined to take action, it cannot for the fear of all opposition parties ganging up to condemn it for trying to 'pressurize' the 'august' judiciary! Besides, the judiciary itself might turn against government by punishing it for its 'audacity' by coloring the judgments. A judiciary which cares too hoots for its own sanctity, can go to any length to keep a lid on corruption among its brethren. I bet Justice Katju will be more vocal till his tenure is extended; but once it is decided one way or the other, he will become silent. He will not have enough time to fight all cases which will be filed against him for defamation!