AP CM Jagan Complains to CJI; Highlights Unwanted Assimilation of Justice Ramana, Alleges Judge-TDP Nexus
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In an unprecedented move, in the on-going war of words between the Andhra Pradesh government and the Judiciary, AP CM Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy has written a letter to Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, alleging that Justice N V Ramana next-in-line to be Chief Justice of India—“has been influencing the sittings of (Andhra Pradesh) High Court including the roster of a few Honourable Judge”.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Ajeya Kallam told reporters on Saturday night that state government had submitted all evidences to the Chief justice of India pertaining to “interference by a sitting Supreme Court Judge in matter dealt by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.
In an eight page letter dated October 6, Reddy alleged that cases important to the Opposition Telugu Desam Party were “allocated to a few judges”
It is stated in the letter that some judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court are overstepping the judicial limits in condemning the actions of the Andhra Pradesh Government.
He minced no words in alleging that the anti-government stand was being taken at the behest of Supreme Court Judge N V Ramana and in favour of Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Jagan’s 8 page letter to CJI Highlights following points.
1. “With a sense of pain and anguish at the politicisation of institutions personally monitored by sri. N.Chandrababu Naidu through Honourable sitting Judges of Supreme Court, facts would clearly demonstrate that the august institution of the High Court is being used to destabilize and topple the democratically elected Government of the State of AP with indelible trial leading back to the overt and covert actions of Sri.N.Chandrababu Naidu through Hourable” Sri Justice N.V.Ramana.”
2. “Justice NV Ramana has been influencing sittings of the High Court including the roster of a few selected Honourable Judges and instances of how matters important to Telugu Desam Party have been allocated to few Honourable Judges are enclosed in the annexure along with copies of orders passed. The above clearly demonstrate the nexus of Sri Justice NV Ramana, TDP, and few Honourable Judges of the High Court”
3. “Justice Ramana proximity to Chandrababu Naidu is well known. Iam making this statement with utmost responsibility. I may only bring it to your notice that former judge of the honourable Supreme Court. Justice Chelameshwar, placed this fact on record with EVIDENCE”
The letter also names at least four other sitting High Court Judges who were “rostered” to handle cases against Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu.
The letter reads “ever since the YSR Congress Party gained power in May 2019 and ordered enquiry into all the deals made by the regime of N Chamndrababu Naidu from June 2014 to May 2019, Justice NV Ramana Started influencing the course of administration of Justice in the State.
The complaint of cheating and crime investigation is stayed on the ground that the money involved in the transactions is repaid by the accused. Every judicial precedent and elementary principle of jurisprudence is violated by such orders, with a view to protect the interest of TDP members,: the letter reads.
Recently during a book launch event justice NV Ramana had said that “As judges are self-restrained from speaking out in their own defence, they are now being construed as soft targets for criticism. This issue is further complicated by the proliferation of social media and technology, wherein judges are becoming victims of juicy gossip and slanderous social-media posts,”
It is also stated in the letter that recent order passed by the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradeh High Courtin a writ petition No.16468 of 2020 filed by former Advocate-General Dammalapati Srinivas, staying investigation in the FIR lodged against Mr.Srinivas and a gag order on the press, against which SLP was preffered.
While the Supreme Court India had been steadfast in ensuring no prior restraint on publication by media, a gag order on the media is passed in the above WP. Justice D.V.S.S Somayajulu passed an interim order on October 16,the very next day of the gag order, staying all further proceedings arising from the Cabinet the Union of India.” Mr. jagan Said.
The beneficiaries of the both judgemnets of the High Court were clearly the politicians of the TD, Mr. Jagan said that justice Ramana was a legal adviser and additional advocate- General in the previous government of TDP.
The Cm said tha the state government had formed a sub-committee by GO no. 1411 on June 26, 2019, to examine the allegations of unbridled corruption, ruthless exploitation of natural resource, grabbing of lands from small and marginal farmers.
After the sub-committee submitted its findings, referring to the amassing of wealth by TDP president N. Chandrababu naidu and others by adopting various illegal means to the Assembly, the government forwarded the report to the Union of Indai urging for a CBI inquiry.
“In a larger Public Interest and in order to rest the speculations in a section of media concerning these developments, the government deemed it fit to officially speak on all above to ensure the dignity of all the institutions.
Mr. kallam said that the state government placed all the evidences to the Chief Justice of India on Oct 8.
