Nirav Modi won't get justice in India: Katju
September 11, 2020 23:18
Retired Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju was challenged as a "self-publicist" on behalf of the Indian government on Friday as he gave evidence in the extradition case of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi via a live videolink from India at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
On the final day of a five-day hearing, Justice Samuel Goozee heard Katju's detailed evidence before adjourning the case until November 3, when he will hear arguments on the admissibility of the evidence provided by the Indian authorities on the charges of fraud and money laundering against the diamond merchant in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank scam case.
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service, arguing on behalf of the Indian government, sought to counter Katju's written and oral claims that Modi would not receive a fair trial in India because a majority of the judiciary was corrupt and the investigating agencies subservient to the government.
"Is it at least possible, you are something of a self-publicist who will make any outrageous statements for the purpose of courting the press," questioned barrister Helen Malcolm, to which Katju replied "you are entitled to your opinion".
Malcolm also queried his decision to give media interviews in India earlier this week related to the evidence he was to give before the UK court in a sub judice matter, to which the former Supreme Court judge said that he merely responded to reporters' questions and that it was his duty to speak out on matters of "national importance".
During what became a quite a fiery exchange in court at times, some of his past controversial statements were also read out in court, in reference to gay relationships being "unnatural" and women who remain single being "prone to psychological problems".
Katju countered by stating that he was entitled to his opinion and that he had quoted from Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman, which Malcolm "as a Britisher" should have read.
The former judge had been deposed by Modi's defence team in order to substantiate their claims that the jeweller faces an unfair and biased trial if extradited to India.
Katju also repeatedly made comparisons between India and Germany under the Nazi regime, saying Modi has been made a "convenient scapegoat" akin to the Jews in Nazi Germany in order to be blamed for the economic crisis in the country.
Asked by the if the diamantaire's own alleged dishonest actions could be to blame, he said: "I am not making any statements on the merits of this case. I am simply saying that he cannot get a fair trial all ministers and media have pronounced him guilty."
His assertion that post-retirement appointments were among the inducements which led to corruption among judges brought his own appointment as the Chairman of the Press Council of India following his retirement into focus, which he stressed was not a government appointment. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances