Supreme Court's directive to RBI: Letters to The EDITOR

Supreme Court's directive to RBI

The Supreme Court of India on April 26, 2019 gave historic verdict directing the Reserve Bank of India RBI for disclosing information on bank defaulters and inspection reports of banks. The apex court rightly gave stern warning to the RBI for not trying to avoid apex court directions by issuing its own rules negating court-directions. Effect of the Supreme Court's warning will be that notorious ultra-rich will now onwards be under public-scrutiny and will not find it easy to flee the country after enjoying ultra-lavish life on public-money looted from banks.

There have been cases where previous governments gave reputed Padma awards to many undeserving persons including even those involved in crimes and even bank-defaulters. Union Ministry of Home Affairs should make a scrutiny of all those honoured with Padma awards in past first inviting their suo moto disclosure about being involved in criminal cases or being wilful bank defaulters. Those not filing suo moto disclosure and those disclosing their being involved in controversial aspects should be deprived of Padma awards. Scrutiny of rest others should be done by investigating agencies for their retaining Padma award. Same should be system for giving Padma awards in future.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Dariba, Chandni Chowk,

Delhi-110006 (India).

Allegations against CJI

It is really unfortunate that an allegation of sexual harassment has been leveled against the Chief Justice of India. The incident highlights how even the office of the CJI can easily be tarnished by a mere allegation. This has not only blotted the image of the judiciary but also impacted the image of the country.

The allegation came from a woman who served as a junior court assistant in the court of justice Ranjan Gogoi for two years from October 2016 to October 2018. It is reportedly known that the alleged incident of harassment happened way back on October 10 and 11, 2018. There is a reason of sufficient doubts that the allegation came from the woman after six months from the date of alleged incident.

It needs to be mentioned here that the woman herself was arrested in a case of bribery that was registered in March 2019. Meanwhile, the woman was dismissed from service, and now the same woman has raised the allegation of sexual harassment against the CJI.

It has come to our notice that the Secretary-General of the Supreme Court denied her claims and called them completely and absolutely false and scurrilous. He had also made communication with the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who had replied that the allegation is totally false and fabricated.

As we know, Justice Ranjan Gogoi is extremely well regarded in terms of personal decency, values, ethics and integrity. He is a perfect gentleman who has rendered his service with true honesty, dedication and determination beyond doubt.

From the observations on different corners, it may be concluded that this type of incident in the apex court of a democratic country like India is a matter of great concern for the people of the country. Its impact on the faith in the judiciary for general public will be everlasting. Hence, the matter should be handled through a foolproof mechanism so that people can keep faith and respect to the apex court of India forever and again.

Satish Kumar Sarma,

Biswanath College,

Kalyanpur, Biswanath Chariali.