SCBA EC condemns Jagan Mohan Reddy for levelling allegations against Justice NV Ramana, SCBA President opts out of resolution

The Supreme Court Bar Association has condemned the action of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy to make allegations against Justice NV Ramana in the public domain..SCBA President Dushyant Dave, however, has refrained from being part of the resolution that condemns Reddy's actions..In its meeting held on October 16, the Executive committee of the SCBA resolved to strongly condemn the actions of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of releasing in public domain the letter written by him to CJI SA Bobde levelling allegations against Justice NV Ramana..CM Jagan Reddy holding a constituional post ought not to have taken such a step which is likely to impact the independence of judiciary, the SCBA opined. .The resolution of the SCBA, signed by the Acting Secretary Rohit Pandey, says."Such actions by constitutional functionaries are opposed to conventions causing serious inroads impacting the independence of judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution of India.".Dave, however, conveyed his inability to participate in this resolution to Acting Secretary, on grounds of principle. He says that Reddy's letter is addressed to the CJI and makes certain accusations against a sitting Judge. While the veracity of these allegations are unknown, the truth can only come to surface after due inquiry, if conducted..In his communication to Pandey, Dave has said,."At this stage we would be pre-emoting the inquiry. I am sure at the end of inquiry truth will emerge and if allegations are found false, SC must initiate contempt proceedings against the CM. Today it is premature to pass the resolution much less of the kind you all propose. (sic)".Dave, choosing to stay out of this resolution, has also said that the Judges "have a lot of explaining to do" while the bar remains a moot spectator despite a number of "disquieting developments" taking place on a daily basis. Dave raises the issues of Judges being named in the suicide note of former CM of Arunachal Pradesh and the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the ex-CJI Justice Ranjan Gogoi to buttress his point.."Judiciary is one institution which is completely opaque and no action is ever taken against erring Judges. SC of India is also not open and transparent. (sic)", Dave says in his message to Pandey..It is on these grounds, Dave registered his reservations against the Bar body resolving to condemn Reddy's move to make allegations against a sitting Judge and chose to sit out on this resolution passed by the Executive Committee..Earlier this month, resolutions condemning the allegations was passed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association and Bar Council of India as well as the NCLT & AT Bar Association.Recently, a petition was also filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to Chief Minister Reddy to refrain from making public statements or holding press conferences to malign the “august institution of the Supreme Court” and its judges..Read resolution: