Farms Law Committee: CJI against 'maligning' of 'brilliant minds'

Chief Justice (CJI) SA Bobde on Wednesday expressed unhappiness at the public criticism against the members of the committee constituted by the Supreme Court, to negotiate on the farmers' protests, stating that they were 'Brilliant Minds.'

While considering an application filed by Bharatiya Kisan Mahapanchayat, seeking the reconstitution of the committee on the ground that the members have expressed views supporting the implementation of the farm laws, Justice Bobde said, 'Aspersions are cast unnecessarily.

'Expressing opinions in a different context doesn't mean disqualification. BS Mann asked for modifications of laws. Branding people like this, we don't appreciate. Even judges express views during hearing. That doesn't mean they can't decide.

'If you don't want to appear before the committee, we cannot compel you. But you cannot malign people like this and cast aspersions on them and also the court. If you don't want to appear, don't appear. Why do you need to brand people like this?,' he added.

Justice Bobde further said, 'How can you play with people's reputation like this? We have serious objections in they being called biased and in saying court was having an interest. You malign people according to majority opinion?'

The CJI also expressed disappointment with the newspaper reports against the committee members.

'We are very sorry to see the kind of opinions expressed in newspapers,' he said.