Jethmalani terms ex-CJI's statement 'rash, irresponsible'

"Instead of rushing with his rash and irresponsible statements, the former CJI should have taken care and consulted the file by summoning the registrar of the Supreme Court," he said.

He hoped the statement was a mere "lapse" and added, "I do not know what made him to issue the rash statements."

The BJP MP said the present controversy was uncalled for as the file was already with the Supreme Court registry and Justice Balakrishnan should have consulted the records.

Jethmalani, who is the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was reacting to the statements issued by Balakrishnan today and on December 8 and the rebuttal given by Justice H S Gokhale to the former CJI's assertions.

Balakrishnan had earlier claimed that the then Madras High Court Chief Justice Gokhale, now a Supreme Court judge, did not not name Raja in his report to him.

The claim was rebutted by Justice Gokhale, who, in a press statement, yesterday said "With respect to this statement (of ex-CJI) I may point out that Justice Reghupathi's letter was already with him and in the second paragraph thereof justice Reghupathi had specifically mentioned the name of Raja."

The former CJI today responded to Gokhale's statement by insisting that the minister's name was not mentioned by Gokhale in his report.