Monday 15 October 2012

Letter to Justice Verma


October 15, 2012

The Hon’ble Justice J.S. Verma,
Chairman, NBSA,
(Former Chief Justice of India)

Dear Justice Verma,


Re:       Allegations against Mr. Salman Khurshid

             As you would be knowing, a controversy has been raised by the India Today Group about an NGO, Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, of which Mr. Salman Khurshid is the Chairman and his wife is the Project Director. Ms. Khurshid has made counter allegations against the India Today Group which made these allegations against him.

Some senior lawyers met me today at my residence and suggested that since there are counter versions from both sides, it would be appropriate if the matter could be examined by some person of high stature.


Everyone holds you in very high respect, and therefore I would request you to hold an enquiry into the matter thoroughly and make your findings public so that whoever is innocent is exonerated and whoever is guilty is exposed.


This incident is not just an isolated one, because often complaints are made that in their hurry to give breaking news, the media, specially the broadcast media, does not do proper investigation before attacking someone’s reputation. In this connection, I may refer to Chapter 2 Shloka 34 of the Geeta where Lord Krishna said to Arjun “For a self respecting man, death is preferable to dishonour”



I would, therefore, respectfully request you to hold a thorough inquiry into the allegations against Mr. Salman Khurshid as also against the India Today Group after hearing all persons concerned, and make your report public, so that people will know the truth.

With regards,

                                                                                    Yours sincerely,

                                                                                    (Markandey Katju)     

33 comments:

  1. Thanks Sir! Online Media need to be open to scrutiny! Understand few of them joining hands with certain vested interest in creating unrest! Frankly can't allow Kids to watch TV news Channels who constantly highlight Rapes/Murder/Crime as if India has become Banana Republic!

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  2. Great work Sir, we have been waiting for someone to inquire into the matter. Thanks for taking cognizance of the issue and stepping forwards for some action. Now eyes on Justice J.S. Verma.

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  3. Now this is called 'transparency' .....people at large:all and sundry have a riight to know whatever happens in the public domain
    justice katju I am a huge fan of yours

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  4. Now this is called 'transparency' .....people at large:all and sundry have a riight to know whatever happens in the public domain
    justice katju I am a huge fan of yours

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  5. If an investigation is initiated, does it mean that the NBSA considers Media-Trial as legal and constitutional? Why was there no cognizance to such illegal acts by the NBSA?

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  6. Will u please stop quoting Hindu Scriptures. It doesn't make any of you argument valid but makes you laughing stock.

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  7. Thanks justice Katju! A great initiative..I have been a great fan of yours!

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  8. Justice Katju Sir...You have done a great job by requesting Justice Verma to look into the matter.Justice Verma will hopefully accept.

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  9. Justice Katju Sir...You have done a great job by requesting Justice Verma to look into the matter.Justice Verma will hopefully accept.

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  10. Justice Katju Sir...You have done a great job by requesting Justice Verma to look into the matter.Justice Verma will hopefully accept.

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  11. Justice Katju Sir...You have done a great job by requesting Justice Verma to look into the matter.Justice Verma will hopefully accept.

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  12. It is a not-so-fair request. Why does Mr Katju want to haul the media everytime a senior politician is involved? An enquiry into Mr Khurshid will prove or disprove media position too. I find Mr Katju generally favouring, status-quo, is against changes, is against Arvind Kejriwal and is also biased against Anna ji and Bhushan. One thought after retirement judges would have a heart to see a better and honest India which they did not greatly endeavor to ensure during their tenures.

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  13. Can only hope TRUTH will prevail..it MUST..at all costs, if this great nation is to survive and progress ! Top Judiciary only ray of hope today !!

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  14. Excellent initiative Justice Katju. I do hope the guilty is exposed and the innocent is exonerated. This should set some precedence in reporting, from now on.

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  15. Thank u sir for your kind attention and innovative initiative to the matter. hope something fair to be happen.

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  16. Honorable Mr.Katju,

    Does former justice Mr.Verma have any constitutional authority as of now to conduct a legal enquiry ? Why are you so offended by Mr. Khursheed's NGO problem so that you would hurry up to to write a letter. Can Mr.Khursheed not go to court to win a case as per the law of the land. Can former justices act beyond constitutional authorities and current system ? Truth should prevail but why are you hinting that character assasination is being done. Are you trying to scare whistle blowers in this massive rampant corruption ? It seems to hint that former and current judiciary is hands in glove with politicians. You are very worried about reputation of one individual but in one of your articles you said 90% Indians are fools. Did you not tarnish the image of 100 crore Indians ? Is it worthy of a former judge to speak ill of aam aadmi(mango people)? Why is there a colonial intellectual arrogance in high and mighty whether politicians or judiciary ? Mango(fools)
    want to know ? Is not not patronizing? Does it not violate human rights?

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  17. Dear Vikas,

    I must first say that you have expressed your dissent in a decent way. That's a good thing, to begin with.

    Justice Verma is the current head of the television news media's self-regulatory mechanism. So, he has the authority to check for incorrect reporting, thereby enhancing the quality of reporting, especially, these news channels.

    It is your interpretation that Justice Katju is keen to save Salman Khursheed. I don't feel so, and many people do think like I do. So, there is a divided opinion, and leave it to Justice Katju's judgement. Don't tell me you are more qualified to be a judge? 'Judiciary is hand in glove with politician' is a poor statement with no evidence. The homework for you is, make cogent statements, only after reading a lot and cite the right points at the right time. Otherwise, anyone has a license to bark.

    Whistle-blowers, as you claim them to be, should use parliamentary language and not just toss up trivial issues and run away. Mr. Khursheed has knocked the doors of court, which many view as intimidation.

    Irony is that your posting of such questions shows your eagerness to join the 90% brand of Indians. Colonial or intellectual arrogance are often brought out by people, who lag sense of understanding and cannot deal with the other persons intellect. People who cannot take on the other, in the battle of wits, resort to such popular gimmicks.

    "Is not not patronizing? Does it not violate human rights?" your last two questions will not be answered and I leave it to you, as your homework.

    That's it!

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  18. Dear Anonymous,

    Thanks for taking the pain to write a detailed reply.

    Careful monitoring of your language like the word bark means that you are very uncivilized and did not do your home works properly in school or college.

    I can provide you tons of evidence where judiciary has been influenced by government or politicians. I am not saying that they always are but many judges have been found to be influenced with money.

    Another patronizing statement about assigning me homework. Who are you to assign me homework? You sound dictatorial or hitler like. Maybe a little megalomaniac.

    Yes, I do read a lot and I cite a lot and I will be more well read than you have ever been by your age. Who has certified you as the most well read person in India. Who are you to judge or assign me homework? So judgemental and arrogant. Outright stupid way to talk, you are not fit to be called a decent human.

    Again, Who are you to assign parliamentary language to whistleblowers. What about democracy, free speech ? Are you planning to make India, China. If it was the most developed democracy and free speech society like US, people will call you stupid. Where do you get your Victorian era ideas ? You sound like the child of British Raj.

    Why are you so worried about the 90% ? . For an ex judge to call 90% Indians as fools, it shows Mr. Katju's arrogance, patronizing attitude and arrogance of the highest order.

    As far as you assuming the preposterous assumption of my eagerness to join whosoever, let me say categorically that your brain neurochemistry is altered weirdly and needs to be researched and studied in detail by someone of calibre and respect, I must say and for that I am writing to the leading Psychiatrist who is the chairman of Psychiatrists of India.

    I am not a lawyer pleading to you in your court that you assign me homeworks, you snub.

    Your homework now is to read more and more till you and your senses come back to think like a normal person and not the king of India.

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  19. Dear Vikas,

    I must take back the word of appreciation, which I showered on you, in my previous comment.

    Let's go point by point:

    1) Assigning homework is part of my job. I'm an Asst. Prof at a well known University, in a country you proudly cited to be the champion of free speech, the US. I didn't land up in this job by fluke, but after earning a PhD in Economics, from even better institute, from this very country. Being in academics, it is best for me, to avoid disclosing my views openly.

    2) Now, getting back to your comment, "I can provide you tons of evidence where judiciary has been influenced by government or politicians. I am not saying that they always are but many judges have been found to be influenced with money" Please provide evidence to support your claim. We in academics are trained not to substantiate anything without good citation. And choose not to cite 'allegation'. We live in country where there exist presumption of innocence, not guilt.

    3) I would be happy if you are really well read. Again, there is not much you say to substantiate the same. Let's start with political philosophy. Have your read Voltaire, Rousseau, Amartya Sen (yes, he is philosopher as well as Economist), John Rawls et al? I'm not trying to be arrogant, but to earn a PhD, one has to acquire fair amount of knowledge. Out of my own interest, I've read some stuff about Law, Religion, Literature and Maths, besides the obvious, Economics.

    4) Again, Who are you to assign parliamentary language to whistle blowers. What about democracy, free speech? You are perhaps young and aren't familiar with a simple line, which we often cite in the US, to make people understand that no freedom is absolute. If you don't agree with me, try shouting fire in a crowded theater. You will be put behind bars. And these are not Victorian era ideas, these are the rules followed in Obama era America.

    5) I understand your taking offense in a statement like, '90% Indians are fools'. Please be mindful that it's a figurative statement, and not to be taken literally. Again, I request your to familiarize yourself with concepts such as 'Poetic freedom'. You know who besides poets and writers are allowed to exaggerate, only the deniers. Not my framed ruels

    6) I choose to disregard the rest.

    You are not expected to share the same opinion. But it would help of you weigh more in favor of reason, and less in favor of emotions. That's how jurisprudence works, in India as well as in the US.

    That's it!

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  20. @ people who scream wolf for no reason

    You see judiciary should be battered from both sides , right ? If it does do something it should be battered for it , and if it doesn't do something it should be battered for it . After careful examinations of opinions of people regarding corruption of judiciary , I think , its futile to talk to those who barely have legal and technical understanding regarding holding of investigation and inquiry . Retired judges though not gods are still people of a very high stature , it is expected from them to conduct a fair inquiry . Ministers or executive is seldom held to hold fair inquiry when people of high stature are concerned . So before talking non sense people must first learn about investigation and inquiry and how it is conducted .

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  21. @ people who scream wolf for no reason

    You see judiciary should be battered from both sides , right ? If it does do something it should be battered for it , and if it doesn't do something it should be battered for it . After careful examinations of opinions of people regarding corruption of judiciary , I think , its futile to talk to those who barely have legal and technical understanding regarding holding of investigation and inquiry . Retired judges though not gods are still people of a very high stature , it is expected from them to conduct a fair inquiry . Ministers or executive is seldom held to hold fair inquiry when people of high stature are concerned . So before talking non sense people must first learn about investigation and inquiry and how it is conducted .

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  22. Dear Lucius,

    As usual, I find your comment very sensible. The problem of late is that people who are educated in one domain, seem to want to make remarks on anything and everything. It's a classic case of those who have hammer in hand, see every problem as a nail.

    And people do make statements like, "I'm not a lawyer, yet I will express my opinion" Fair enough, you can express your opinion and side with anyone, but don't sound like an expert. That will clearly expose a person's semi-literacy.

    Cheers!

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    1. I do not prefer to call them semi-literate because such words connote literacy of some regard in them .

      They lack fine understanding about law and science and yes , they also seem to believe that only way a person can learn something is by getting a certified degree . So if a guy is doctor , according to that logic , he cannot be deemed to know anything about law at all (disregarding ignoratia juris non excusat that is ignorance of law is no excuse) . They also seem to forget there is a something called "self learning" by which a person can learn through his own reading over the topics .

      They also pretend to be victims of insult which faced with logic and cited relevant evidences supporting the fact in issue which is cause of debate .

      And they indulge in irony of the greatest degree by shouting in front of their adversary to be "civilized humans" and then backing it up with insults and argumentum ad hominem .

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    2. Once again, I must say that you reply is apt. We have not met each other or know anything about each other. But we share a strong common ground of scientific thinking by application of logic.

      I suppose self-learning is totally ignored because of the fact that they themselves have never experienced that. This gives rise to the, 'I know all this and more, yet will never give examples', kinda thinking.

      The point that you mentioned about how such people play victims and accuse the fact presenter to be either colonial or arrogant is apt one. If you have tracked my argument, I have countered points and posted questions (logical way to carry on a debate). And in response, I'm attacked over frivolous points, with no answers to the questions I posted.

      I do hope people realize that there is nothing at personal stake here. Difference in ideas are acceptable, but ignoring logic and beginning with the presumption of guilt on anyone is rather unfortunate.

      Cheers!

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  23. Dear Anonymous,

    Do not try to glorify or boast what you have read. I have read all these and more. You should learn some modesty which is lacking in people like you. I resonate with what you said some people try to appear as if they know it all, being a jurist does not make anyone an expert of Philosophy, Indian History, Mathematics, Arthashastra, Firaaq, Literature and Ghalib. There are many fields beyond law and there are many people world wide you are better read, researched, published and cited than just jurists. Does a judge hold a patent to exhaustive reading and intellectual wealth. I pity your ideas for lack of depth and perception. I wonder how many educational degrees you have. I have 8 and I doubt you can match that.

    Do you really think you are a know it all or are you just delusional ?

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  24. Dear Vikas,

    Look at how you respond to facts. You claim my presenting facts as boasting and lacking modesty. You claim to have 8 degrees. I've degrees from DU and Princeton (Bachaelors, MA and PhD, respectively). My 'H-Index' is quite decent (hence hired by a well known Public University) I'm not stating this to prove my credibility. Assuming you have more degrees, may I humbly ask you from what institutions and what areas?

    I would guess that you don't know, how judges (especially the Supreme Court ones) develop their understanding, before they decide. I've had an opportunity to talk to one of the former CJI, who explained this to me. Many judges are domain experts, right from nuclear physics, technology et al. I've no objections if you doubt my credibility, but you feel even Justice Katju is not an expert in Literature, Indian History, Philosophy? Are you hinting that you kinda know more about these topics (certainly more than me) more than Justice Katju?

    You claim you have read it all, you know that judiciary is hand-in-glove with politicians (executives), but make no citations. Making statements by providing examples and citations is a good practice.

    Finally, why do you want to indulge in personal attacks (be it Justice Katju or I), instead of replying or countering points.

    I rest my case!

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  25. I am not sure whether I should have high regard for Justice Verma as I think his honesty and impartiality is questionable because he reportedly failed to take any action against Dr Jolly Bansal in Jain Hawala Case who apparently attempted to bribe the judges of the Supreme Court.

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  26. Dear Anonymous,

    Answer this question... Why didn't Justice Verma take action against the person you mentioned (accused)? a) did he have sufficient evidence? b) did he choose not to let him go?

    Point is, no judge, in no country of the world can pass judgments as per his/her will. Another two things to be kept in mind are:
    1) Punishment is given to an accused, if it proven beyond doubt that the accused is the culprit (called principle of natural justice)
    2) Unless one has solid evidence, a media report or a blog per se are not enough, to make strong remarks (or express doubts, like you did).

    That's it!

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  27. The guy who is doubting Mr. Verma, I found these exact words. "There has been this gentleman who has been trying his best to meet me and has failed. But now, I am shocked to hear from the brother judge Justice SC Sen, that someone had managed to meet him. Justice Sen happened to recount this incident to me, and when I asked him whether it was the same gentleman who tried to reach me, he confirmed it. The issue had upset him very much but I told him to forget it........I am saying all this and that too in a restrained manner only because, it is spreading to my brother judges. All types of things began happening to me and the same things are happening to my brother judges. We are getting all types of calls with some persons persistently trying to reach us and influence us. We know some people in the Court must be connected with these activities. This type of harassment will not work. We are not going to recuse ourselves from this bench. Only this bench will hear the case and non else".

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  28. Should retired Indian judges retain the title of "Justice"?

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  29. Mr Justice Markandey Katju,


    Will it be fair to die in persuasion to protect one's honour when a person's honour is robbed of or a person is put to disgrace by using extra constitutional means like tantra or /& using homam. A person's honour & dignity can be robbed of & a person can be maligned by using pseudo- religious methods. I have undergone near entire biological life cycle management process based on date of birth & astrological details manipulated entrapped killing processes involving honouring and dishonouring . I just scrapped through the death as my parents died & my younger brother partially paralysed & blinded.Fame can come & go but once a person dies he/she cannot come back to current life .



    Irrespective of honour or dishonour created & projected by Media ,Mr Salman Khurshid should continue to lead his life healthy ,wealthy way . Shloka of Geeta quoted in your letter to Justice J.S.Verma Chairman NBSA has its own limitations. A person can be provoked to commit suicide by inducing fear of dishonour in entrapped condition using homam under biological lifecycle management processes of any human being including Ministers , Judges celebrities , professionals & others.



    With all humility , without any intention to disparage or malign any one , I wish to you share with you I upheld the dignity of entire newspaper & news business industry, media owners , journalists , corporate houses including Government Of India of the day by pointing out error of decision of Shri Naresh Mohan then President Indian Newspaper Society 1990-91, Chairman United News of India (UNI) currently Trustee The Tribune Chandigarh.

    In 1991 , I was reporting to Mr. Naresh Mohan & Mrs Shobhana Bhartia directly in coordination with Mr Rajendra Prasad former printer & publisher of Hindustan Times group .


    However to stifle the truth and to deny me necessary recognition & financial benefit I was forced to expose the truth under hypnotised environment condition to US Charge D' Affairs by vested interest groups in media industry by spliting the truth in multiple perceptions.



    Mr. Ashis Bagga currently , CEO India Today group attempted to biologically terminate me on "Raksha Bandan" Day in August 1996 using entrapped killing processes using tantra an indirect method of maiming & killing. Mr . Ashis Bagga was Vice President Hindustan Times in 1996. He attempted to biologically terminate me subsequently several times.



    While Mr Mohan then Chairman UNI , Mrs . Shobhana Bhartia ji Chairperson ,Press Trust of India bestowed honour on me by spreading a few positive words about me , Mr Ashis Bagga wanted to project me as useless corrupt person. Mr Ashis Bagga removed the document containing Mr Mohan 's error & my suggestion to Mr. Mohan from my locker in my cabin In The Hindustan Times by attempting to murder me under entrapped killing processes.



    Using tantra & various auric & atmospheric manipulation method using homam, I was projected as petty corrupt man and anti-christian & Muslim by one M Ganeshswamy a Tantric from Tamil Nadu while I was trying to create communication campaign based on scientific facts & based on UN Charter to save lives of Christians & Muslims who were fighting civil war in Bosnia in 1993. M Ganeshswamy is a close associate & guru of Dr Vaidyanathan , Chief Priest , Malai Mandir , R. K.Puram , New Delhi. M. Ganeshswamy in his bid to criminalise me & project me in badlight shattered & severely damaged my personal & professional life.



    Mr.Naresh Mohan & Mrs.Shobhana Bhartia current Chairperson Hindustan Times group fully aware of the facts.



    Warm Regards
    --
    Partha Roy

    14 B Heysham Road

    Kolkata 700020

    M: +919874532637

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  30. Resp. Justice Katju,
    You are doing a great work! Keep going!

    anti climb fence

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  31. i think justice take good initiative and we are the people raise the voice for justice and hoping our struggle will be get victory and make a positive things in society.

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