NEW DELHI: Former CJI D Y Chandrachud came in for stinging criticism from Sena UBT, which accused him of “doing nothing about violation of anti-defection law over the split in the party”. The remarks about “defilement” of the Constitution came amid comments from other parties that there were serious questions about the independence of judiciary under BJP government.
Slamming BJP’s repeated reference to Emergency, Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant said the way Constitution was being “played” now, there was an “undeclared Emergency” in force and there was no need to impose one. He said BJP should not forget that four SC judges had alleged that govt was interfering in judiciary’s functioning.
Sawant said while anti-defection law was shredded in Maharashtra, SC judges could not show courage to stop it. “Was Constitution respected… illegal govt was allowed to function, CM was sworn in. Case had to be decided during its tenure, but Speaker didn’t disqualify anyone. What happened to SC order? What happened to Constitution & Ambedkar?” he asked, adding, “Is the judiciary independent? Cowards are sitting there.”