Punjab phone tap: HC slams vigilance

Currently a Supreme Court judge,Justice Thakur had indicated the possibility of Punjab Vigilance Bureau — then headed by Sumedh Singh Saini,currently Punjab DGP — gathering indirect evidence against judges through “not-so-legal” means. The “unauthorised” tapping was highlighted by Justice Thakur after enquiring into the incident.

Referring to the news item,Justice Ranjit Singh held: “The news item published in The Hindustan Times in my view was calculated to disrespect the court. The apparent aim was to bring the institution of judiciary or the high court in disrepute. See the heading itself,which reads ‘Punjab Phone Taps; a Story of tapes,touts and judges’ and ‘Judiciary Opaque,Courts trouble’. The language ultimately results in undermining the dignity of the court,though couched in a manner which may appear to be a criticism cannot be permitted.”

“Insult to a judge… or scandalising judges or courts would clearly bring authority and administration of law into disrespect and disregard. This news item has brought disrespect to judiciary,” the order added.