Former judges, government officials, and officers from the armed forces who have retired have criticised the recent ruling by the Supreme Court against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. In an open letter to CJI NV Ramana, they claim that the supreme court went beyond “Laxman Rekha” and demanded “rapid corrective” measures. Notably, on July 1, the highest court criticised Nupur Sharma for remarks she made against the Prophet Muhammad, claiming that her statements are upsetting and reeked of arrogance. The SC bench had stated that it was too late and that her remark had caused regrettable circumstances despite her remorse for her remarks against the Prophet Mohammad.
“In the annals of judiciary, the unfortunate comments have no parallel and are indelible scar on justice system of the largest democracy. Urgent rectification steps are called for as these have potentially serious consequences on democratic values and security of the country,” said the statement made by 25 veterans, 77 former all-India services officers, and 15 former judges.
Former judges, government officials, and officers from the armed forces asked for the roster of Justice Surya Kant to be withdrawn until he attains superannuation and at least be directed to withdraw the remarks and observations made during the hearing of the Nupur Sharma case.
The statement further said that, “By no stretch these observations, which are not part of the judicial order, can be sanctified on the plank of judicial propriety and fairness. Such outrageous transgressions are without parallel in the annals of Judiciary.”
For her remarks against Mohammad, Nupur Sharma received harsh criticism from the Supreme Court on July 1. The court stated that Sharma’s “loose tongue” had “put the entire country on fire” and that she was “single-handedly accountable for what is occurring in the country.” The top court had rejected Nupur’s request to combine the FIRs that had been filed against her in several states as a result of the remark, concluding that the remarks was either made for cheap publicity, a political objective, or other malicious purposes.
