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The Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana today remarked, “There is a new trend that the government has started maligning judges. It’s unfortunate! Earlier it used to be done by private parties, now the government is also doing it.”

The above remark was made when the bench headed by CJI NV Ramana and consisting of Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli was hearing a plea by State of Chattisgarh, challenging the order of the High Court which quashed an FIR against former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Aman Kumar Singh. The FIR against Singh was registered under Prevention of Corruption Act.

The matter saw Rakesh Dwivedi, Sr. Adv, representing the State of Chattisgarh while Siddharth Dave, Sr. Adv, appearing for a petitioner in a connected matter. Dave submitted that the reasoning of the judgement is based on probability and that the writ petition itself was filed in a very preliminary stage.

CJI at this point remarked, “Whatever fight you may have its alright but don’t malign the courts, I have been observing and this is a new trend that is emerging.”
Dave retorted to this by saying that the statement was not meant to malign anyone. CJI said, “No, we are watching this. Its a trend that the government is maligning judges.” Dave replied to this saying one cannot countenance the trend, he however urged the court to see the reasoning in the order of the High Court.

Dave further argued that Singh has accumulated a wealth of Rs. 2500 crores. The bench at this point remarked that the SLP appears to be an exaggeration and that the court cannot allow this kind of victimisation of persons. Dave submitted that the kind of money that Singh has accumulated is shocking. CJI asked Dave not to generalise this way.

The court has now listed the plea for further hearing on April 18, 2022.

Case title: State of Chattisgarh Vs Aman Kumar Singh