<p>A bench of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra dismissed an application filed by the registry of the Allahabad High Court seeking direction to expunge the remarks made by the bench on alleged corruption in the court.<br /><br />The bench, however, said that it would give a clarification in its order and said there are also many excellent judges. “We are not saying that all judges are corrupt, there are some who are excellent,” the bench said.<br /><br />Senior Advocate P P Rao appearing for the High Court registry submitted that the judgement should not have been circulated to other high courts.<br /><br />Justice Katju said: “Do not tell all those things. I and my family have more than 100 years of association with the Allahabad High Court. People know who is corrupt and who is honest. So do not tell me all this.<br /><br />“Tomorrow, if Markandey Katju starts taking bribe, then the entire country will know about it. So do not tell me as to who is honest and who is corrupt.”<br /><br />Justice Mishra remarked, “It is not just time to react but also to introspect.”<br />Rao submitted that the earlier observations had tarnished the image of the entire High Court judiciary and the rustic would not be able to distinguish between an honest and a corrupt judge.<br /><br />“Do not tell me all those things about the rustic. They are much more enlightened. Do not think people of India are fools. They do not pen their mouths fearing contempt of court,” the judges said while dismissing the application. <br /><br />The Allahabad High Court had taken strong exception to the apex court's remarks.<br />The application said the judgment has “made difficult" for the judges to function and tarnished the reputation of the entire judiciary in Uttar Pradesh.<br /><br />“The remarks are unfortunate and uncalled for and has brought down the image of the Allahabad high court judges in the eyes of the general public. The observations have made it difficult for the judges to function,” the application had stated.<br /><br /> Last fortnight, in a judgment, the Bench had said: “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark said Shakespeare in Hamlet, and it can similarly be said that something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court. We are sorry to say but a lot of complaints are coming against certain judges of the High Court relating to their integrity. Some judges have their kith and kin practising in the same court, and within a few years of (their) starting practice, the sons or relations become multimillionaires, have huge bank balances, luxurious cars, huge houses and are enjoying a luxurious life. This is a far cry from the days when the sons and other relatives of judges could derive no benefit from their relationship and had to struggle at the Bar like any other lawyer.<br /><br />“There are also other serious complaints against some judges. The High Court really needs some house cleaning (both the Allahabad and Lucknow Benches), and we request the Chief Justice of the High Court to do the needful, even if he has to take some strong measures, including recommending transfer of the incorrigibles.”</p>
<p>A bench of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra dismissed an application filed by the registry of the Allahabad High Court seeking direction to expunge the remarks made by the bench on alleged corruption in the court.<br /><br />The bench, however, said that it would give a clarification in its order and said there are also many excellent judges. “We are not saying that all judges are corrupt, there are some who are excellent,” the bench said.<br /><br />Senior Advocate P P Rao appearing for the High Court registry submitted that the judgement should not have been circulated to other high courts.<br /><br />Justice Katju said: “Do not tell all those things. I and my family have more than 100 years of association with the Allahabad High Court. People know who is corrupt and who is honest. So do not tell me all this.<br /><br />“Tomorrow, if Markandey Katju starts taking bribe, then the entire country will know about it. So do not tell me as to who is honest and who is corrupt.”<br /><br />Justice Mishra remarked, “It is not just time to react but also to introspect.”<br />Rao submitted that the earlier observations had tarnished the image of the entire High Court judiciary and the rustic would not be able to distinguish between an honest and a corrupt judge.<br /><br />“Do not tell me all those things about the rustic. They are much more enlightened. Do not think people of India are fools. They do not pen their mouths fearing contempt of court,” the judges said while dismissing the application. <br /><br />The Allahabad High Court had taken strong exception to the apex court's remarks.<br />The application said the judgment has “made difficult" for the judges to function and tarnished the reputation of the entire judiciary in Uttar Pradesh.<br /><br />“The remarks are unfortunate and uncalled for and has brought down the image of the Allahabad high court judges in the eyes of the general public. The observations have made it difficult for the judges to function,” the application had stated.<br /><br /> Last fortnight, in a judgment, the Bench had said: “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark said Shakespeare in Hamlet, and it can similarly be said that something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court. We are sorry to say but a lot of complaints are coming against certain judges of the High Court relating to their integrity. Some judges have their kith and kin practising in the same court, and within a few years of (their) starting practice, the sons or relations become multimillionaires, have huge bank balances, luxurious cars, huge houses and are enjoying a luxurious life. This is a far cry from the days when the sons and other relatives of judges could derive no benefit from their relationship and had to struggle at the Bar like any other lawyer.<br /><br />“There are also other serious complaints against some judges. The High Court really needs some house cleaning (both the Allahabad and Lucknow Benches), and we request the Chief Justice of the High Court to do the needful, even if he has to take some strong measures, including recommending transfer of the incorrigibles.”</p>
