Outburst ‘unfortunate’: Ex-CJI Balakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12

Former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan today described the unprecedented action of four Supreme Court judges of listing out the problems afflicting the institution as “unfortunate” and “painful”.

He added the judges should have discussed the matter and resolved it among themselves. “The judiciary is the sanctuary of the common man. This kind of a situation will trigger doubts about the institution and this should not have happened,” Justice Balakrishnan told reporters here.

The judges should now move forward to find a solution to the situation, he added. Stating that he was not blaming anyone for the development, Justice Balakrishnan said such a situation should not have occurred in the first place.

Asked if the press meet called by the four judges was improper, Justice Balakrishnan said it was not a criminal offence and that there was nothing wrong in that.

Reacting to the development, former Supreme Court judge Justice KT Thomas said the matter should be taken very seriously as four senior judges of the collegium had come out and spoken.

Recalling that he had also been a part of the collegium in the past, he said they were always consulted by the Chief Justice on every important issue. — PTI