SC dismisses petition for SIT probe in bribery case 

SC dismisses petition for SIT probe in bribery case 

Context

• The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed seeking a Special Investigation Team probe in the medical college bribery case as an effort to “create ripples” within the apex court

What is the significance of CJAR?

• The Campaign for Judicial Accountability & Judicial Reforms(CJAR) is a response of people’s movements, and all organizations and individuals working on public interest issues to a judicial system that has become unaccountable, inaccessible and insensitive to the poor.

What is the verdict?       

• The court indicated that it was leaning in favour of bringing a quietus to the issue, saying goodwill should prevail.
• The 38-page judgment drew largely from past verdicts of the Supreme Court dealing with “scandalous allegations” against judges.
• Judges are not responsible for “corridor” rumours. Recusal of a judge cannot be sought in such instances on the ground of conflict of interest.
• It is entirely the judge’s prerogative to take cognisance under the Contempt of Court Act and punish a “person who is unscrupulously trying to influence the decision-making or indulging in malpractices,”
• The verdict again referred to a past judgment where contempt was drawn against an advocate for “mudslinging” at the Supreme Court