Gujarat legal eagles protest apex court decision on assets

GANDHINAGAR - A group of Gujarat legal luminaries has criticised the Supreme Court’s decision to appeal the Delhi High Court judgement on the disclosure of assets of judges and formed a panel to decide the future course of action and mobilise public opinion.

At a meeting of former judges, lawyers and social activists in Ahmedabad late Friday, the members passed a resolution protesting the apex court decision. The meeting was held at the residence of justice T.U. Mehta, former chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The apex court has decided to appeal against the judgement of the Delhi High Court about assets disclosure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Girish Patel, senior lawyer, said Saturday that the three-member panel would decide on the future course of action.

The panel consists of former justice R.A. Mehta, Kanan Dhruv and Girish Patel. They will forward the resolution passed at the meeting to bar associations in the state.

The resolution points out that it would not be in the interest of the highest ideals of justice for the higher court to be a petitioner and litigant before itself in a case involving its own actions.

“It will shake the confidence of the people in the highest court. We believe this action of the apex court will undermine the authority, independence, credibility and dignity of the Supreme Court,” the resolution stated.