Can’t hold inquiry on transcript of conversation, says apex court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday said it cannot hold an inquiry as to what was there in the phone conversation between former Andhra Pradesh high court judge Justice V Eswaraiah and a suspended trial court magistrate with regard to various issues including alleged ‘Benami’ transactions related to the Amaravati land scam case.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy also reserved its order on the plea of Justice Eswaraiah seeking a stay on the Andhra Pradesh high court order directing a probe into his conversation with suspended District Munsif Magistrate.

The high court had said that their phone conversation had allegedly disclosed a “serious conspiracy” against the judiciary. “This court cannot hold an inquiry as to what is there in the transcript of the conversation and what is missed out. Let the HC take a call,” the bench said in the proceedings held through video conferencing.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing or former HC judge, said that the high court order needed to be stayed as allegations have been made without hearing the former judge. Justice Eswaraiah had moved the Supreme Court against a High Court order directing a probe into the phone conversation between him and a suspended trial court magistrate on the ground that it allegedly disclosed a “serious conspiracy” against the judiciary.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, Justice (retd) Eswaraiah said he had sought information from a suspended judicial officer regarding the benami transactions in a phone conversation, which purportedly pertained to corruption allegations related to land deals in the state’s new capital region.

The affidavit was filed in pursuance to the apex court’s January 11 direction asking Justice (retd) Eswaraiah to clarify his stand with regard to his conversation with the suspended district munsif.