SC dismisses another plea in judges' bribery case, slaps fine of Rs 25 lakh on the petitioner

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed another plea filed by an NGO in connection with judges’ bribery case. The Apex Court also imposed a cost of Rs 25 lakh on the petitioner (NGO).

A bench comprising justices R K Agrawal, Arun Mishra and A M Khanwilkar also imposed a cost of Rs 25 lakh on the petitioner NGO - Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), which had sought a SIT probe into the matter.

The apex court had earlier dismissed a similar plea, which made identical allegations filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal.

The petition had claimed that allegations of bribery were levelled for securing settlement of cases relating to medical colleges in which retired Orissa High Court judge, IshratMasroor Quddusi, is also an accused.

On Monday, the top court had reserved order on a plea filed by a non-government organisation seeking SIT probe headed by a former Chief Justice of India to probe matters in the alleged bribery case in the name of judges.

A bench headed by Justice R K Agrawal had heard the arguments advanced by the Attorney General K K Venugopal and advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the organisation Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), and said it will pronounce the judgement on December 1.

"Heard Prashant Bhushan, counsel appearing for the petitioner, and Attorney General K K Venugopal, at considerable length. Hearing concluded. Orders reserved. List for pronouncement of orders on December 1," the bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and A M Khanwilkar, had said.

During the hearing, Bhushan had said the CBI, which is probing the matter, should hand over the material in the case to the SIT headed by a former CJI.

Attorney General had told the court that this petition is the verbatim copy of an earlier petition which was dismissed by a different bench.

He had called the PIL as misconceived and arguments submitted by Bhushan, that he wanted to protect the independence of the judiciary, disingenuous.

Bhushan had said all the aspects were not dealt by the apex court in its earlier verdict and he has filed this petition to save the "dignity, independence and integrity of the judiciary."