Judge recuses from Punjab government appeal case

NEW DELHI: Justice Sheel Nagu, who was chief justice of Punjab and Haryana HC for nearly two years prior to his elevation to Supreme Court, on Friday recused from hearing Punjab govt's appeal against the HC's order directing a CBI probe into an alleged bribe syndicate, having links with the CM's OSD, that influenced postings, transfers and tenders. At the commencement of hearing, Justice Dipankar Datta said Justice Nagu wants to recuse from the case, even though senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for Punjab govt, said the state did not have any objection to him remaining a part of the bench.

SC: Thousand sources... don’t now where attacks will come

Hinting that Justice Nagu’s continuation on the bench might be turned into a controversy, Justice Datta said, “These days there are a thousand sources. We do not know where the attacks will come.” In the recent past, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had raised questions about a Delhi HC judge’s impartiality and sought her recusal from hearing an appeal related to a criminal case against him. When Gupta reiterated his request, Justice Datta said SC has 17 benches and the case could go to another. The order stated: “Re-list this petition before a bench of which JusticeNagu is not a member.”

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