New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) Communist Party of India (CPI) Member of Parliament D Raja on Friday
defended his visit to Justice J Chelameshwar at his residence here soon after he and three other
Supreme Court judges held an unprecedented press conference, denying that it was prompted
by political considerations.
Explaining the rationale for his visit that raised eyebrows in certain quarters, Mr Raja told media
persons that he knew Justice Chelameswar for a long time and thought he should find out what
happened, since the judges had gone public with their complaints.
'I just thought I should find out what exactly the problem is. There is no politics involved. This
issue concerns all citizens,' the CPI National Secretary said, adding "Parliament will have to devise
a method to sort out problems like this in the judiciary."
He was responding to questions from reporters on his reaction to the happenings which had
snowballed into an unprecedented press conference by four seniormost Supreme Court judges
which hinted at a sharp divide in the highest court of the land.
Stating that he had known Mr Justice Chelameshwar for a long time, Mr Raja said he wanted
to know from him the reason for the extreme step the four judges had taken.
In an interview to a private channel, the Left leader said 'My concern is there is problem in judiciary.
And, judiciary must rise above this and restore the faith of people in the judiciary.'
He went on to say that Justice Chelameswar 'has not sought anything from me. Everyone is worried
about democracy in this country. And, judiciary is considered to be the last faith of our citizens.'
'Our Constitution has defined roles for judiciary, Parliament and executive. I think when there is
crisis in the judiciary, Parliament should discuss the issue and provide meaningful solution,' he averred.
Mr Raja stressed 'we want independence of judiciary. We want the problems to be sorted. What
judges did today was extraordinary.'
Justice Chelameswar had told him in their meeting whatever he said in the press conference, Mr Raja
added, ponting out that 'it is concern of all citizens and being a citizen of this country, I am
concerned.'
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