Citizens ought to be informed of the outcome of an inquiry into serious allegations against a future CJI
On April 24, 2021, Justice N. V. Ramana is to assume office as the 48th Chief Justice of India (CJI). As Master of the Roster, Justice Ramana would have the sole prerogative to constitute benches of the Supreme Court and allocate matters to be heard by these benches. As a matter of law, he would exercise this power even in cases that concern allegations made against him. The importance of the integrity of the person occupying such an important constitutional position cannot be overstated. Yet, a month before Justice Ramana is to assume office, the public is in the dark about the veracity of serious allegations levelled against him by other constitutional authorities.
The allegations
On October 6, 2020, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed a letter to CJI S.A. Bobde alleging that Justice Ramana was interfering with the constitution of benches and…