Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Jan 21: The three member panel comprising Supreme Court Judge, Justice V S Sirpurkar, Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, A R Dave, and eminent jurist, P P Rao, formed recently by the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Hamid Ansari, to go into the grounds for the impeachment of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice, P D Dinakaran, has become a subject matter of controversy. The panel had been formed after 75 Rajya Sabha members belonging to the opposition sought the impeacehment of Justice Dinakaran.

Former law minister and famous lawyer, Shantibhushan, has observed that P P Rao, a member of the panel, had provided legal advice to Justice Dinakaran during the latter’s visit to the country’s capital. “Appointment of Rao to the committee therefore, is improper. P P Rao should opt out of the committee on his own, or else, Vice President and chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Hamid Ansari, should replace him,” he opined.

Rao however, defended his appointment, clarifying that there is no need to attribute any significance to the fact that Justice Dinakaran had met him recently during his visit to New Delhi. As Justice Dinakaran is not facing any cases, there is no need for him to get any legal advice, he asserted.

Some senior lawyers have also opined that it would be better for Rao to decide to opt out of the committee, to ensure that there is not even an iota of doubt about the functioning of the committee. Therefore, it is likely that the panel will be re-organized soon.