On 21 August 2020, a PIL seeking an in-house inquiry against former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi was dismissed by the supreme court noting that the judge has now demitted office and the PIL is now infructuous.
Background of the PIL Registered Against CJI Ranjan Gagoi
Back in 2018, Arun Ramachandra Hubalikar had filed the PIL but after months of CJI Gogoi being superannuated, it came up for hearing today.
The Bench before today’s hearing informally observed that the prayer appears to be rendered infructuous. The petitioner, appearing in person nevertheless sought to make his case.
Petitioner’s Case in the Plea against CJI Ranjan Gogoi
The Bench of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai, and Krishna Murari were informed by the petitioner that for the constitution of an in-house committee to take suitable action against Gogoi J, the PIL was filed.
Arguments by the Petitioner in the CJI Ranjan Gogoi Case
Arguments were raised that during the tenure as a Supreme Court judge the now retired CJI had abused his office through acts of “commission and omission”.
Likewise, He sought to cite orders which were allegedly marred by bias, impropriety and passed by Gogoi J when in office.
Supreme Court’s Say in the CJI Ranjan Gogoi Case
However, in no uncertain terms the Supreme Court expressed that the prayer is rendered infructuous and no such inquiry can be ordered now with Gogoi J demitting office.
The petitioner was questioned by Justice Mishra regarding the delay in the PIL, the petitioner to which responded that despite “dozens of reminder letters” sent by him to the Registry, his petition was not listed earlier and filed two years ago.
The Court’s inability to grant the prayer was expressed by Justice Mishra,
“He has demitted office now. What can be done? Nothing can be done now… because he has demitted office, nothing remains in the petition. We cannot go into all that or consider this prayer now…”
Thus, the court refused to entertain the PIL as being infructuous and hence was dismissed.
