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Not avenging Justice Joseph’s Uttarakhand order: Law Minister
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) The Central government’s action in sending the file of Justice K.M. Joseph back to the Supreme Court Collegium for reconsideration had “nothing to do with his order quashing the President’s Rule in Uttarakhand”, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday.
“I wish to deny with all authority at my command that it has nothing to do with it (Justice Joseph’s decision) at all, for two obvious reasons. Firstly, a proper (BJP-led) government with nearly three-fourth majority has been elected in Uttarakhand. Secondly, that order was confirmed by Justice (J.S.) Khehar of the Supreme Court,” Prasad said in response to a media query.
“Justice Khehar was the judge who also set aside the National Judicial Commission initiative of the government. Yet he became the Chief Justice of India during the BJP-led NDA government. I think that by itself is (proof) enough,” Prasad said.
The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the name of Justice Joseph, currently the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, for elevation as a Supreme Court Judge along with eminent lawyer Indu Malhotra.
While the government cleared Malhotra’s name, it sent Justice Joseph’s file back to the Collegium for reconsideration, drawing widespread flak from the legal community as well as the opposition.
A bench headed by Justice Joseph had quashed the imposition of President’s Rule in Uttarakhand by the Central government that dismissed the Congress party’s Chief Minister Harish Rawat-led government just ahead of the state Assembly elections in 2016. The High Court’s decision had caused a huge embarrassment to the Modi government.
Terming the opposition’s charges of the government interfering in the independent functioning of judiciary as “sponsored allegations”, Prasad said the government was well within its right to send a name back to the Collegium for reconsideration.
“The right of the government to seek a reconsideration of the proposals made by the Collegium is granted to the government by the Supreme Court judgments itself of 1993, 1998 and 2015, creating the Collegium structure. The government has exercised that power only,” he said.
Refusing to comment on remarks made by several legal luminaries berating the government over its decision, Prasad said the Modi government’s “commitment for the independence of judiciary and respect for the institution of judiciary and judges is complete and uncompromisable”.
The government raised three objections on Justice Joseph’s name. It said that it was “not fair” on 41 judges who were ahead of him on the all-India seniority list of high court judges; that Justice Joseph’s elevation would “further distort the regional imbalance” in the apex court; and advised that the Collegium may consider appointing a Dalit judge as the top did not have any at this point.
The Collegium met this evening to deliberate on the government’s point of view but deferred its decision.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.