AG declines consent to initiate contempt proceedings against ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Attorney General K K Venugopal has declined to give his consent for initiation of contempt proceedings against former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi for his remark against the problems plaguing the Indian judiciary.

Justice Gogoi, now a nominated Rajya Sabha member, has termed the country's judiciary as "ramshackled", making things difficult for a common man to get justice.

In a request, activist Saket Gokhale has sought consent from the Attorney General to initiate contempt proceedings against Justice Gogoi.

Read: Ramshackled judiciary: Even former CJI won’t go to Supreme Court

In his response, Venugopal said that Justice Gogoi made "very strong statements against the judiciary and the Supreme Court", which apparently "reflect his deep frustration with ills that undoubtedly beset the justice delivery system".

He also said, "All that has been said was for the good of the institution and will not in any manner scandalise the court or lower its authority in the eyes of the public."

A consent by the Attorney General or Solicitor General is a statutory requirement under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act for initiation of such proceedings in the top court.