India News

Supreme Court rejects probe in Judge Loya’s death, BJP triumphant

Published

8 years ago

April 19, 2018

Supreme Court rejects probe in Judge Loya's death, BJP triumphant

There is no merit in plea for a probe in Judge BH Loya’s death and it was an attempt to scandalise judiciary, ruled the Supreme Court on Thursday, April 19.

The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said that the petitions were a “veiled attempt to launch a frontal attack on the independence of the judiciary” and that “there is no reason to doubt the statements of sitting Judge.”

The bench also said that the “petitioners’ conduct prima-facie constitutes criminal contempt,” but the court “would spare them of any contempt action.”

The bench said that the death was due to natural causes, that there is “absolutely no merit” in the public interest litigation (PIL) petitions alleging foul play in his death and there will be no probe.

The court said the statements of the judges who were with Judge Loya at his time of death could not be doubted: “We can’t doubt the statements of the judicial officers who were with Loya.”

Also, “Documents placed on record and their scrutiny establishes that Judge Loya’s death was due to ‘natural cause’.”

Records say that Judge Loya – the special CBI judge overseeing the investigation of the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case in which BJP president Amit Shah was an accused – died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur in 2014. Shah was discharged from the case by Judge Loya’s successor in office.

Controversy over Judge Loya’s death arose following a report in Caravan magazine, which quoted his sister and father suggesting foul play and cover-up in the incident.

The Bombay Lawyers’ Association subsequently moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a probe in the matter. PILs were filed in the Supreme Court. The apex court transferred the petitions in Bombay HC to itself and heard all of them together.

CJI Dipak Misra referred to the Caravan report, mentioning Loya’s conversation with his wife. He said: “An attempt was made to scandalize this case.” He also referred to the evolution of the public interest litigation and how the PIL was misused, “which is a serious issue to look into.”

He said: “It is the duty of the court to look into the fact (as to) which PIL is genuine and which one is filed under the facade of political activity.”

The SC said PILs, which were meant to provide succour to the downtrodden and voiceless, have become a means to settle political and personal scores. It said the judiciary is unnecessarily being made to spend precious time looking into such PILs which leads to delay in giving justice in other cases.

The top court said the petitioners’ advocates Dushyant Dave, Indira Jaising and Prashant Bhushan launched a frontal attack on the judiciary by urging the SC to disbelieve the three judicial officers who accompanied Loya to Nagpur and stayed with him at a guest house, and who later said the judge died of a heart attack.

Justice Chandrachud observed that the petitioners used the Supreme Court and their PILs as platforms to malign the Bombay High Court judiciary and the judicial officers who were with Judge Loya at the time of his death. At one point, the petitioners even wanted to “cross-examine” the judges who were with Judge Loya on their statements that said he died of a cardiac arrest.

The judgment said the PILs were a “serious attack on the judiciary” and an attempt to “seriously scandalise” judges.

The petitioners created a facade that the PILs were meant to protect the independence of the judiciary by seeking a probe into the death of Judge Loya. The truth was that the petitioners wanted to sensationalise the death of a judge. The PILs were only a “veiled attempt to destroy the credibility of judiciary” with “scurrilous” claims.

Claims by petitioners that “one man” (Amit Shah) was controlling the judiciary was nothing but an attempt to undermine public faith in the judiciary and credibility of judicial process, the judgment said.

Justice Chandrachud said the petitioners should not use the courts to settle political scores. “Political rivalries should be settled in that great hall of democracy… Rule of law should not be reduced to a charade,” he observed.

The apex court said the petitioners’ claims and aspersions amounted to criminal contempt. But Justice Chandrachud said the court did not want to initiate contempt proceedings as judicial process should not be respected out of fear of contempt, but it is to be based on moral authority.

The court dismissed the Loya PILs, holding that there was no reasonable suspicion to show that Judge Loya’s death was unnatural.

BJP and Congress reactions

A triumphant BJP attacked the Congress, calling it the “invisible” hand behind the petitions and accusing it of trying to use the judiciary for “character assassination” of its BJP president Amit Shah.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra described the public interest litigations (PILs) seeking an independent probe into the death of Judge Loya as “political interest litigations”.

Patra noted that the Congress had held press conferences and its president Rahul Gandhi led a delegation of Opposition parties to the President seeking a probe. Patra said Gandhi should “apologise” and be ashamed” for his ”conspiracy” to target Shah and the Indian judiciary and democracy.

Patra tweeted, “The highest Court of the country throws out of window the lowest attempt to politicise the unfortunate heart attack of a Judge! No doubts on the veracity of the statements of the 4 judges, says the SC! While truth triumphs Rahul Gandhi loses face #SCslamsCongressOnLoya”

The Congress said that the Supreme Court judgment will raise more questions and leave many of them unanswered unless logical reasons were found in it.

“Dispassionate analysis of Loya judgment must await its full reasoning. But unless logical reasons found in it, it will raise more questions and leave many unanswered,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said on Twitter.

Singhvi said the apex court can remove suspicions only by dealing with them directly.

“Am prepared to accept a) heavy emphasis in SC Loya regarding veracity of accompanying judges b) anguish regarding scandalous arguments (c) initiation of contempt if it arises (d) provided it is accompanied by solid reasons rebutting the 7/8 suspicious circumstances raised. Absent that, above lamentations not enough,” he tweeted.

Up Next

Supreme Court website hacked, Brazilian hack team suspected to be behind the attack

Don't Miss

India, UK agree to enhance cooperation post Brexit

India News

Suvendu Adhikari files Rs 100-crore defamation suit against Mamata Banerjee

Suvendu Adhikari has moved an Alipore court seeking Rs 100 crore in damages from Mamata Banerjee, alleging defamation over coal scam claims.

Published

7 mins ago

January 17, 2026

[email protected]

West Bengal opposition leader and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Friday filed a defamation suit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking Rs 100 crore in damages for allegedly linking him to a coal scam.

In a post on social media, Adhikari said the suit was filed before the court of the civil judge (senior division) at Alipore after Banerjee did not respond to a legal notice sent to her earlier.

Adhikari accused the chief minister of making what he described as “imaginary allegations” and said her silence on the defamation notice had compelled him to move court.

“I honour my commitments while you obfuscate issues and people. Your deceptive silence to the defamation notice pertaining to your vile imaginary allegations of my involvement in some alleged coal scam will not help you salvage the situation,” Adhikari wrote on X.

He added that he had kept his word of initiating legal action and shared a photograph related to the registration of the civil suit.

Adhikari also stated that if damages are awarded in his favour, the amount would be donated to charity.

Legal notice and allegations

According to Adhikari, the legal notice sent through his advocate referred to statements made by Banerjee on January 8 and 9, during which she allegedly linked him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal scam while claiming to possess evidence.

In the notice, Adhikari had asked Banerjee to substantiate the allegations within 72 hours, failing which he would proceed with a defamation suit.

Adhikari, who was earlier a minister in the Trinamool Congress government, joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections and is currently the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

India News

Ajit Pawar concedes civic poll setback, says public mandate is supreme

Ajit Pawar has accepted defeat in Maharashtra’s civic polls, acknowledging the public mandate and pledging stronger efforts to rebuild trust ahead of future elections.

Published

17 mins ago

January 17, 2026

[email protected]

Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Friday accepted the verdict of the recently concluded municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, stating that the public’s mandate must be respected above all else.

Following near-clear results in the 29 municipal corporations across the state, Pawar took to social media to formally acknowledge the party’s poor performance in several major urban centres. He said the outcome reflected the will of the people and congratulated all winning candidates.

“The public’s mandate is supreme, and we accept it with complete respect. I heartily congratulate all the winning candidates and wish them success in their upcoming terms,” Pawar said.

Ajit Pawar promises renewed effort after losses

Addressing the party’s inability to achieve the expected results, the NCP leader said his faction would introspect and work harder to regain the confidence of voters.

“In this local body election, where we did not achieve the expected success, I assure you that we will work with more responsibility, honesty and double the vigour to regain the public’s trust,” he said.

He also urged newly elected representatives to focus on public issues and speed up development work. At the same time, Pawar encouraged party workers and candidates who lost the elections to remain committed to public service, underlining that serving citizens should remain the central objective.

Setback in traditional strongholds

The civic poll results have been viewed as a significant setback for Ajit Pawar, particularly in western Maharashtra. Despite choosing to contest independently in several areas—separate from Mahayuti partners BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena—to demonstrate the strength of his faction, the NCP suffered major losses in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Both municipal corporations, long regarded as strongholds of the Pawar family, witnessed a decisive lead and victory for the BJP, leaving Ajit Pawar’s faction trailing in third or fourth position.

In Mumbai and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the party struggled to make an impact, failing to secure even double-digit seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Political observers believe the strategy of “friendly contests” against the BJP did not yield the desired outcome. The results indicate that the traditional Pawar support base may have split between Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar’s faction, indirectly benefiting the BJP.

The outcome of the 2026 civic polls is being seen as an important signal ahead of the 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections, pointing to shifting political equations within the ruling alliance.

India News

BJP-led alliance set to wrest BMC as Thackerays trail in Mumbai civic polls

The BJP-led alliance is set to take control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, ending the Thackerays’ long hold as early trends show a clear majority in Mumbai’s civic polls.

Published

29 mins ago

January 17, 2026

[email protected]

The BJP-led alliance is on course to secure control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ending over two decades of dominance by the Thackeray family, according to early trends from the civic body election results announced on Friday.

As counting continues, the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance is leading in 117 wards, crossing the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member BMC. The BJP alone is ahead in 88 wards, while the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena is leading in 29.

In contrast, the Thackeray cousins are trailing with leads in 70 wards. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is ahead in 64 wards, while Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is leading in six.

High-stakes BMC election after long delay

The BMC elections were held after a nine-year gap, following a delay of nearly four years. A total of 1,700 candidates contested the Mumbai civic polls, making it one of the most closely watched municipal elections in the country.

With an annual budget exceeding Rs 74,400 crore, the BMC is India’s richest civic body and plays a crucial role in governing Mumbai’s infrastructure, health services, and urban development.

In the 2017 elections, the then-undivided Shiv Sena, which included the Eknath Shinde faction, had retained control of the civic body.

BJP leads across Maharashtra municipal corporations

The broader picture across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra also favours the BJP-led front. Statewide trends show the BJP leading in 1,427 wards, while its ally, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is ahead in 403 wards.

The Congress is placed third with leads in 317 seats, with strong performances in areas such as Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Nagpur, and Kolhapur. Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is leading in 165 wards, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with 157.

Pune results reinforce BJP dominance

In Pune, another key battleground, the BJP has emerged as the clear frontrunner. The party is leading in 123 of 165 seats, while the combined factions of the NCP — led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar — are together ahead in 24 seats.

Voting details

Polling was held for 2,869 seats across 893 wards in the 29 civic bodies on Thursday. A voter turnout of 52.94% was recorded, with 15,931 candidates in the fray statewide.

Apart from Mumbai and Pune, counting is underway in municipal corporations including Navi Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nagpur, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mira-Bhayandar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Kolhapur, and several others.