"For The Good Of The Institution": AG KK Venugopal Refuses Consent For Contempt Proceedings Against Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Attorney General of India KK Venugopal has refused to give his consent for initiation of contempt proceedings against Former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi for statements made by him during an interview. A request was made by activist Saket Gokhale seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Gogoi for his statements about the Judiciary and the Supreme Court.

While refusing to grant consent, AG Venugopal has acknowledged that some very strong statements were made by Gogoi about the judiciary and the Supreme Court in a recent interview, and reflected his 'deep frustration with the ills that undoubtedly beset the justice deliver system'.

However, AG Venugopal also stated that everything that was said by Gogoi in the interview in question was for the good of the institution and will not in any manner scandalize the Court or lower its authority in public eyes.

Saket Gokhale had on 23rd February written to AG Venugopal seeking contempt proceedings against Former CJI and current Parliamentarian Ranjan Gogoi for insulting the Supreme Court and scandalizing and attempting to lower its dignity. Gokhale brought to the AG's attention an interview given by Gogoi during a conclave event organised by the India Today group on 12th February this year.

Some of the statements made by Gogoi were cited including

"You want a 5 trillion dollar economy but you have a ramshackled judiciary",

"If you were to go to the court, you would be only washing your dirty linen in the court, you won't get a verdict I have no hesitation in saying it",

"Only corporations willing to take chances with their millions of rupees go toSupreme Court "

"the judicial system has not worked for more reason than one",

"Unfortunately , there are many judges who are succumbing to criticism made in media".

According to Gokhale, Gogoi's statements constituted gross contempt of court and undermined the top Court's, especially considering that the statements came from not a layperson but from someone who sat on the highest seat of the judiciary.

Gokhale had also referred to the contempt cases of comedian Kunal Kamra and artist Rachita Taneja, stating that the prosecution consent granted by the AG's office in those contempt cases established a benchmark of what constitutes a contempt of court in your opinion, and Gogoi's comments were far more contemptuous in their degree and seriousness in scandalizing the Apex Court.

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