New Delhi: Looking to address the concerns of four senior judges, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has decided to himself hear the former special CBI judge H.B. Loya case on Monday.
Justice Arun Mishra had recused himself from the Loya case on January 16, a day after breaking down in a meeting of judges and accusing the four seniors of tarnishing his image by indirectly questioning his integrity.
The CJI-headed bench for hearing the PILs on Loya’s death will also include Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y Chandrachud, according to a list released by the Supreme Court registry on Saturday.
Judge Loya, who refused to discharge BJP president Amit Shah, in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case died after he was shifted from that case. The judge who succeeded Loya discharged Mr Shah and the CBI is yet to file an appeal.
On Friday, the two petitioners in the Loya case — Tehseen Poonawala and B.R. Lone — mentioned the matter before the CJI who said that an appropriate bench as per roster would hear the matter.
On Saturday, it came to light that CJI himself will hear the petitions setting at rest the speculation on the composition of the bench. On January 16, a bench of Justices Mishra and M.M. Shantanagouder after asking the Maharashtra government to share details of Loya’s autopsy report with petitioners directed that the petitions to be listed before an appropriate bench, thereby recusing from the case.
