SC judge questions continuance of Deshmukh in government

Justice Ganguly,who along with Justice G S Singhvi had criticised Deshmukh for shielding a Congress MLA’s family from complaints on money lending by poor farmers during his tenure as chief minister,today said,“I have nothing more to say on it. I said whatever I wanted to say and I am not denying it.” Deshmukh,who was earlier holding Heavy Industries portfolio,has recently been shifted to Rural Development Ministry.

Justice Ganguly’s remarks came against the backdrop of concerns expressed over exploitation of poor farmers at the hands of moneylenders. He referred to the case when the then Maharashtra chief minister had tried to protect moneylenders including the MLA from police action.

The judge was speaking at a two-day conference on gender concern in conflict zones.

The Supreme Court had in its December 14 judgement termed Deshmukh’s behaviour as anachronistic and incongruous and had enhanced to Rs 10 lakh the fine of Rs 25,000 imposed by the Bombay High Court on the Maharashtra government.

The court had said the action of Deshmukh was condemnable as he acted beyond “all legal norms” for “political consideration” despite Vidharbha region having the dubious distinction of witnessing the largest number of farmers’ suicides.

“Chief Minister’s instructions are so incongruous and anachronistic,being in defiance of all logic and reason,that our conscience is deeply disturbed. We condemn the same in no uncertain terms,” the bench had said.