New Delhi, December 8th, 2010

In some sections of media a news story is being run alleging that Justice R. Reghupathi of the Madras High Court had written a letter to me while I was the Chief Justice of India alleging that the then Union Minister, Shri A. Raja had tried to influence him and that I suppressed that letter. Thereby, casting aspersion on me that I had committed dereliction of duty. I regret to say that the allegations are absolutely incorrect. I had not received any such letter or communication from Justice Reghupathi while I was in office. When this incident was reported in the media, I sought for a report from the then Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Justice Gokhale and he sent me a report wherein nothing was mentioned about any Union Minister having made a telephonic talk with Justice Reghupathi to influence him. Therefore, there was no occasion for me to talk to the Prime Minister or to take any further action. I had disclosed these facts at the relevant time. Moreover, if anything happened like that which amounted to interference in the judicial function of Justice Reghupathi, he himself could have exercised his powers of contempt of court for which no permission is required from the Chief Justice of India. It appears that Justice Reghupathi made a statement that he reported the matter to the Chief Justice and he certainly meant the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and not the Chief Justice of India. These facts may be verified. The letter which was written by the then Chief Justice of Madras High Court Justice Gokhale to the then Chief Justice of India, wherein there was no mention of the name of any Union Minister, may be available in the office of the present Chief Justice of India.

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