Executive interference in judiciary nil: Ten things former CJI Ranjan Gogoi said at his book launch

Ranjan Gogoi was defiant as ever at the launch of his book 'Justice for the Judge,' an autobiography detailing among other things, his tumultuous tenure as Chief Justice of India..While discussing the book with journalist Rahul Kanwal, Gogoi touched upon various controversial points of his career, including the sexual harassment charges levelled against him, the allegations of improper listing and hearing of cases and the judges' press conference of 2018..On executive interference in judiciary and its functioning, Justice Gogoi's response was "nil"."Who would dare come and ask Ranjan Gogoi to do something? Tushar (Solicitor General Tushar Mehta)... Will you?"In the context of the sexual harassment allegations for which he eventually got a clean chit, Gogoi said,"You cannot cow me down with shouting. This does not scare Ranjan Gogoi. I will not bow down to unconstitutional, if not extra-constitutional noises."However, earlier on in the discussion, he had admitted that he perhaps should not have been on the Bench that took up the issue pertaining to the allegations."It might have been better If I was not part of the Bench. We all make mistakes. No harm in accepting it," he said..Here are other quotes made by the former CJI during the launch:.On the Ayodhya judgment."I did not resurrect Ayodhya. It is a responsibility my predecessor gave to me and allotted a date. I have two options to run or to fight. CJI Bobde said I come from a family of warriors, I fought.".On why important matters were not heard expeditiously during his tenure as CJI."I cannot interfere in a judge's day-to-day functioning. They are judges of the Supreme Court and they have to be given respect...On "expeditious," I cannot answer, because it will be speculative.".On the transparency of the in-house procedure to deal with the sexual harassment allegations against him."An additional registrar is part of Internal Complaints Committee. But I put my neck out and gave the noose to former CJI Bobde. He would have been happy to hang me and get extra 7 months of extra tenure. What are you talking about?".On why the judges' press conference of 2018 was called."We had to call the PC because we were unable to persuade the then CJI Dipak Misra regarding allocation of cases to benches. I hope it was the first and last occasion that judges had to address the press.".On taking up the Rajya Sabha nomination."I am least convinced about the allegations that Rajya Sabha seat was offered to me as quid pro quo for the Ayodhya judgment. These are all made up by media and news papers.".On executive interference with the judiciary."Nil. Who would dare come and ask Ranjan Gogoi to do something? (Solicitor General Mehta) Tushar... Will you?".On interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as CJI."I was given a special hotline to PM and Law Minister, but I threw it. Executive interference is possible to be made in hundred different ways and it depends upon the incumbent. I didn't meet the PM even once.".On the private dinner hosted by PM Modi before the Rafale judgment."He came on November 26, on Constitution Day. I don't think anything wrong with it. They were judges who took selfies with the PM. They are the activist judges now.".On how he was approached by a former Chief Minister for a "judicial favour"."Tarun Gogoi asked for a judicial favour. But why speak about him, he is no more... requested my mother to meet him, spending her pension taking a flight. And the CM asked her to speak to me to give judgment in his favour...She told me after the judgment."