CJI refuses comment on timing of meet, raised by SC Judge

Chief Justice of India H L Dattu today refused to comment on his Supreme Court colleague Kurian Joseph's objection to the holding of the judges' conference on Good Friday and Easter weekend and rubbished reports that another judge had also disapproved the event's timing.

"No comments," Justice Dattu said when asked about his reaction to the views expressed by Justice Joseph in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regretting his inability to attend dinner for top judges tonight for the same reason.

The CJI rubbished reports that another Supreme Court judge, Justice Vikramjit Sen, had also objected to holding of the conference between holy period of Good Friday and Easter.

"There was no confrontation, no statement, no objection from Justice Vikramjit Sen. This was wrongly reported...," he said, adding that Justice Sen did not communicate and "even talked" with him on the issue.

"There was no communication from Justice Sen regarding any disagreement with regard to the conference and it is wrongly reported by media," he said.

The CJI was answering queries of media persons while emerging out of the reception hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to felicitate Supreme Court judges and Chief Justices of 24 High Courts who have been here for the three day conference.

On being asked whether he is attending the Prime Minister's dinner tonight, the Chief Justice said, "I am definitely attending Prime Minister's dinner tonight. Why should I not?".

In his letter to the Prime Minister two days ago, Justice Joseph had said: "Irrespective of the religion, Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid, Bakrid, Christmas, Easter etc. are great days of festival celebrations in the neighbourhood. Your good self would kindly appreciate that no important programmes are held during sacred and auspicious days of Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Eid, Bakrid etc., though we have holidays during that period as well."

"I regret my inability to attend the event as the Conference coincides with the Good Friday ceremonies. Good Friday is a day of great religious significance to us, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ," he said.

The apex court judge also urged the Prime Minister that "being the guardian of Indian secularism, I request your Honour to kindly have in mind these concerns also while scheduling events and benevolently show equal importance and respect to the sacred days of all religions which are also declared as National holidays."

He said it was "customary for us to be part of the religious and other ceremonies with the parents, elders and other family members during the holy weekend.  Hence I would be in Kerala during those days."