MAKING OF A CONTROVERSY
MAY 6, 2014 SC collegium proposes four names, including ex-solicitor general Gopal Subramanium (right), for appointment as SC judges
JUNE 19 Law ministry rejects Subramanium’s name on grounds that he had summoned a meeting of CBI officers and counsel defending A Raja during hearing of PIL in 2G scam
JUNE 22 Prez clears elevation of Calcutta and Orissa HC CJs and senior lawyer Rohinton Nariman, whose names were recommended along with Subramanium’s
JUNE 25 Subramanium writes to CJI seeking withdrawal of his consent, accuses Modi govt of ‘brazenly’ ordering CBI to ‘scrounge’ for ‘dirt’ on him; goes public with his anguish. Suggests his role as amicus curiae in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case may be why govt opposed his elevation
JUNE 28 CJI calls Subramanium, asks him to reconsider his decision to withdraw consent
JUNE 29 Subramanium stands by decision in regret letter to CJI
JULY 1 CJI strongly criticises govt’s move, says judiciary’s independence is non-negotiable
AT NO COST CAN THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY BE ALLOWED TO BE COMPROMISED. I WILL BE THE FIRST MAN TO LEAVE THIS CHAIR IF I KNOW THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.
RM LODHAA, Chief Justice of India