Prasad alludes to Karnan controversy

Responding to the Justice C.S. Karnan controversy, who has been on the run after he was awarded a jail term by the Supreme Court, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday that the incident underscored the need for “greater scrutiny of the judiciary.”

At a press conference here, he said the government did not wish to interfere in the matters of corruption involving the judiciary and “any issue of impropriety should be addressed by the judiciary itself.” “As regards a specific case of a specific judge, I would not like to make any comment..., maybe, there is a case for greater scrutiny of the judiciary. The particular incident you have cited only underscores the compelling need.”

He was asked to comment on the failure of the state machinery to implement a Supreme Court order to send Justice Karnan behind bars for six months for contempt of court. Justice Karnan last week ended his tenure as a fugitive from law. He has been evading arrest since May 9.

Appointment of A-G

Mr. Prasad said the government would decide on the next Attorney-General at an “appropriate time.” The incumbent Mukul Rohatgi recently conveyed to the government that he would like to be relieved of the post.

“We have taken note of the Attorney-General’s request not to continue because of personal reasons. We respect it. Mr. Rohatgi has served with great distinction,” he said.

Mr. Rohatgi, who wants to return to private practice, was appointed Attorney-General immediately after the BJP came to power in May 2014.