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Ranjan Gogoi book brings back focus on his key judgments

Apart from the sexual harassment case, Gogoi has passed several key decisions either individually or as part of a bench which are a tad controversial.

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Ranjan Gogoi

By Deeksha Sharma

Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has been in the news recently for his autobiography, Justice for the Judge. The book was released on Wednesday. But it has been a topic for both ridicule and amusement because of its title and its attempt to salvage Gogoi’s reputation.  

Now a nominated Rajya Sabha member, Gogoi said in an interview, “We all make mistakes and I have no difficulty in saying so”, when asked about the propriety of him leading the bench hearing the sexual harassment case against him.

On December 8, Rupa Publications held a grand launch for the book which was released by Gogoi’s successor in the Supreme Court, Justice (retired) S.A. Bobde. 

At the book launch and after, he gave interviews and was asked several questions about his decisions, judgements and, of course, the sexual harassment case levelled against him, in which he himself scheduled the hearing of the case and made observations about the motive and conduct of the complainant and claimed he was being targeted and maligned by vested interests. All in the name of tarnishing the judiciary.

Apart from the sexual harassment case, Gogoi has passed several key decisions either individually or as part of a bench which are a tad controversial.

Sabarimala Judgement

In 2019, the Supreme Court bench led by then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi reviewed petitions challenging the Apex Court’s 2018 decision to allow women of all ages to enter Sabarimala temple, which said that matter should be considered by a larger bench. 

This decision was taken with a 3-2 majority, Justices R.F. Nariman (now retired) and D.Y. Chandrachud were the dissenters and were part of the majority in the 4-1 verdict of the 2018 order.

In the hearing, Gogoi said whether a court can intervene in matters that are essential to religion is yet to be decided, and this case is in reference to a larger bench of issues.

Rafale clean chit

In the same year, another bench headed by Gogoi gave a clean chit to the Narendra Modi government over allegations of corruption in India’s purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. The deal had come under the corruption cloud because the initial contract was for 126 planes. Further, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s chowkidar comment had also queered the pitch. Rafale was the opposition’s main plank in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but the surgical strike in response to the Pulwama killing of CRPF jawans and the nation rallying behind him saw PM Modi back in the office.

Sexual harassment case levelled against Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi

In 2019, a staffer of the Supreme Court, who was assigned duties at the Gogoi residence said that she had been sexually harassed by him.

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After this, he took suo motu cognisance of the matter and titled it as ‘In Re Matter of Great Public Importance Touching Upon the Independence of Judiciary.’ Not only this, he also heard the matter on a holiday and the bench was headed by him. Legal experts have decried Gogoi on several counts for the sheer lack of judicial propriety in his dealing with the case.

NRC

At a media house’s event, Gogoi said, “National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a game, a big game by the politicians.” But this statement is nothing as he himself has part of the game and part of the bench that directed and saw the implementation of the NRC in Assam from 2014 till its finalisation in 2019. 

The NRC is the first of the two-card bogey (the second being the Citizenship Amendment Act) that had put Indian Muslims especially in the Northeast and West Bengal on tenterhooks. The CAA led to several struggles including the now legendary sit-in by Muslim women at Shaheen Bagh.

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Delhi LG VK Saxena directs probe into remarks against Kangana Ranaut by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate

The Delhi Police will investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose.

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Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena today sought a detailed probe from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in relation with the alleged defamatory social media post made by Congress’s Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut.

Reportedly, BJP candidate from New Delhi Bansuri Swaraj had given a complaint to the LG seeking probe and registration of an FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty of a woman. Subsequently, the Delhi LG has forwarded the complaint to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing a scientific investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary.

Reports said that the Delhi Police will also investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. A major controversy erupted on Monday after an objectionable post from Supriya Shrinate’s social media handle against Kangana Ranaut, who has been announced as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.

Responding to the remarks, Kangana Ranaut said that they must free the daughters from the shackles of prejudices and must rise above the curiosity about their body parts. She added that people must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur. She concluded that every woman deserves her dignity. As the controversy intensified, the Congress leader asserted that someone else had posted the objectionable content from her handle. 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for her derogatory remarks against Kangana Ranaut. The Election Commission observed that the remarks are undignified and in a bad taste. The election body asked the Congress leader to respond to the commission by Friday. In the notice, the Election Commission stated that the statements made by the leader is prima facie violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. 

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Bollywood actor Govinda joins Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now.

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Bollywood actor Govinda joined Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. In 2004 Govinda contested from Mumbai North Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket and earned the nickname of a giant slayer as he defeated BJP’s Ram Naik. He resigned from the party and said that he had decided to take a break from politics.

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now. He said his parents had a good relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hedge met the Bollywood actor at his residence in Juhu. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said the actor’s joining the Shiv Sena does not come with a rider. Govinda said whatever work is assigned to him, he will do it to the best of the ability. He said he was a part of the 14th Lok Sabha and has returned to politics after 14 years.

Speaking about his role in politics, the actor said he would transform the film city of Mumbai. He did not reply when he was asked about contesting elections. Govinda said everybody has seen the same level of progress in Maharashtra in the last 2 years, as it has been seen in the country in the last 10 years. He said he is going to focus on the beautification of the state and work towards the growth of art and culture.

Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora welcomed Govida into the party and said he has known the veteran Bollywood actor for almost 25 years. He recalled the 2004 election and said both of them had fought elections together.

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To browbeat, bully others is vintage Congress, says PM Modi after lawyers express concern over attempts to undermine judiciary

Lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

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PM Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party after more than 600 lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over attempts to undermine the judiciary’s integrity using political and professional pressure.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote that to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. He recalled that five decades ago, the party itself had called for a committed judiciary, adding that they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation. He concluded that no wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments followed after lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

The lawyers said the tactics used by the vested interest group are damaging the courts and threatening democratic fabric. They stated that Chief Justice Chandrachud’s leadership is crucial in these tough times and the Supreme Court should stand strong, adding it is not the time to maintain dignified silence.

Without naming, the letter also targeted a section of lawyers and alleged they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. Furthermore, they claimed that some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way.

In addition, the All Manipur Bar Association had also written to CJI DY Chandrachud highlighting the need to speak out against underhanded attacks on the judiciary on Wednesday. In its letter, the bar association said that it was extremely concerned about recent trends where vested interest groups were trying to defame the courts with frivolous logic and stale political agendas.

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