New Delhi: Even as a breakthrough eludes the five-day old crisis in India’s higher judiciary, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, one of the four senior judges who triggered it with their historic press conference, did not attend court Wednesday.
Sources close to the judge said he had taken the day off as he was unwell. “He fell ill last night and could not attend court. If he is better, he could be back in court tomorrow,” the source said.
However, there was no prior notice on the Supreme Court website about the judge’s absence. Usually, the court registry issues a notice on future listing of cases that the absentee judge was due to hear on that day.
On Wednesday, lawyers gathered in his courtroom at 10.30 am as usual but there was no communication about Chelameswar’s absence.
Two other judges, S.A. Bobde and A.K Goel, were also not present in court. While Goel has been on leave since Tuesday, there was no notice of Bobde’s absence either. Bobde is second in line to be chief justice after CJI Dipak Misra.
No breakthrough in ending crisis
It is learnt that senior judge A.K. Sikri has made attempts to bring the CJI and the four judges to the table but his efforts are yet to yield any results.
Sources close to the four judges told ThePrint that the judges are yet to resolve the crisis. “Despite what some reports indicate, there has been no discussion on the issues raised at the press conference.”
While the judges have an informal lunch meeting every Wednesday, it is unlikely that any contentious issues will be discussed since Chelameswar will not be present.
It is also learnt that the four judges do not see the possible reassigning of judge Loya’s case as a step towards resolving the crisis. “The judges raised questions on structural issues and they have to be taken seriously first,” one source said.
Aadhaar case
Meanwhile, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by the chief justice began hearing the constitutional challenge to Aadhaar Wednesday.
Justice Chelameswar had heard cases related to Aadhaar since 2014 but neither he nor any other senior judge was picked by the chief justice to hear this case.
The bench hearing the case consists of the CJI, and judges Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.
You know what the basic story of Hindu Dharma is, right? That whenever sin crosses a threshold, there comes a woman or man to end the evil. With Amit Shah, I think we ve gathered critical mass of Sins and Asuras have lined up nicely. Don’t worry, Chelso & three wise men. Your protest will not go in vain. You ll be a hero of generations to come.