Cash-in-bag: Judge wants 145;third person146;

Justice Nirmal Yadav of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has requested Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur to ensure that her examination by the CBI in the cash-at-judge8217;s-door case is done 8220;in the presence of a third person8221;. The packet containing Rs 15 lakh in cash, which was delivered at Justice Nirmaljit Kaur8217;s residence on August 13, was allegedly meant for Justice Nirmal Yadav.

She said the third person, who could be a judicial officer or even a high court judge, should be appointed by the Chief Justice, and would act as an independent witness during the examination. The demand has also been conveyed to the CBI, which is expected to question Justice Yadav in the near future. The CBI said it did not have any objection to the demand 8220;as long as we get the answers to our questions8221;.

8220;The demand cannot be legally challenged since she is being examined as a witness by the CBI and not as an accused,8221; said a senior CBI official. 8220;It appears the Judge wants to ensure that her statements during the questioning are not changed by the CBI team, keeping in view the sensitivity of the case,8221; he added. The CBI has already questioned Justice Nirmaljit Kaur in connection with the case. According to information available with the agency, two more judges 8212; one from the Supreme Court and one from the Punjab and Haryana High Court 8212; were reportedly present at her residence on August 13 when the money was delivered. During the questioning, which lasted for over 30 minutes, she is learnt to have clearly denied this.