CPI leader’s visit to ‘rebel’ judge raises brows

The Communist Party of India on Friday claimed that its leader D Raja had paid a visit at Justice J Chelameswar’s residence in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the party.

Raja is in the eye of a storm for his meeting with the rebel judge immediately after the press conference. The two were also seen shaking hands at the back gate of the judge’s residence.

Grilled by the media, the CPI leader was at pains to justify the visit. "I have known Justice Chelameswar for a long time. When I came to know of the extraordinary step taken by him and other judges, I thought must I meet him. I am not giving it political colour," Raja said.

He also claimed that Chelameswar did not reveal any information to him apart from what was discussed in the morning press

conference. Republic TV, however, reported that Raja had entered the judge’s residence via the out gate to possibly meet the judge ‘discreetly’. Other journalists like Rahul Kanwal pointed out that it was inappropriate of Justice Chalameshwar to meet Raja as well. IT makes it seem as if there are some judges on the side of the opposition in their tussle against the Chief Justice. ‘‘The judge shouldn’t have given time to opposition leaders. Hope he is not planning to meet any more,’’ the journalist said in a tweet.

CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy dismissed the speculation that the party wanted to meddle in the controversy and said it was a "misunderstanding". "It is a misunderstanding that the CPI wants to meddle in this controversy. The judiciary itself has to solve the problem. It is a very important issue. The advice of former CJIs and prominent jurists should also be taken into account and the confidence and credibility of the Supreme Court should be re-established," Reddy said.