Prior expression of opinion not a disqualification to be member of committee: CJI SA Bobde

A person will not be disqualified from being a member of a committee merely because he/ she has previously expressed an opinion on the subject matter which is under consideration by that committee, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde remarked on Tuesday. .The remarks were made by CJI Bobde during the hearing of a case before the Supreme Court relating to inadequacies and inefficiencies in criminal trial, but it also came at a time when National President of Bharatiya Kisan Union, Bhupinder Singh Mann had recused from a committee constituted by Supreme Court to hold talks with protesting farmers and submit a report to the top court. ."There is some confusion regarding the law. One person may have an opinion before being part of the committee but his opinion can change. There is no way that such a person cannot be part of the committee," the CJI said..Mann had recused from the Committee citing the "prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and public in general".."I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as not to compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country," Mann had said in a press statement..I am recusing myself from the committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab, he had added..The committee which also comprises, Dr. Pramod Kumar Joshi, Ashok Gulati (Agricultural Economist) and Anil Ghanwat (President of Shetkari Sanghatana) was set up by the Supreme Court on January 12 to hear all the parties and stakeholders and submit a report to the Court about the same..Farm laws Stayed and Supreme Court forms 4-Member Committee: LIVE UPDATES from the hearing.The order to that effect was pronounced by a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.The Supreme Court's decision had come under fire since all the members of the Committee were reportedly those who had expressed support to the contentious Farm Laws enacted by the Central government against which the farmers are protesting at the national capital.