Is the government now trying to buy the judiciary?

At a time when the judiciary is emerging as the only hope for the people of this country, one suspects whether the government is now trying to buy the judges too.

A report suggests the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has appointed Mr. Deep Chaim Kabir, son of Supreme Court judge Altamas Kabir to ‘assist’ the Public Prosecutor in certain cases. It is alleged that Mr. Deep Kabir is ineligible for the appointment as he has only four years of experience where  ten years is required and there are several other eligible advocates who could have been appointed. Mr.  Deep Kabir will be paid a fee of Rs.30,000 per day, whereas the Public Prosecutor himself gets just Rs.25,000 per month. Plus, Mr. Kabir being based in Kolkata, the administration will also bear the expenses of his travel from Kolkata to Port Blair, accommodation, food etc.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Bar Association has been boycotting the court proceedings since July 29, 2011 on the issue. Detailed reports are available here and  here.

Justice Altamas Kabir is hearing a key petition in the Supreme Court regarding the constituting of the SIT (Special Investigating Team) to monitor all black money cases in India. He is also tipped to be the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.