CJI Dattu sets up benches to hear NJAC, Jaya, Teesta cases

The CJI has also set up a three-judge bench to hear afresh the anticipatory bail plea of Teesta Setalvad and her husband in the case of alleged embezzlement of funds for a museum at Ahmedabad’s Gulbarg Society that was devastated in the 2002 riots.

Also, a day after a split verdict was delivered by two judges over the legality of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa’s appeal in Karnataka High Court in a corruption case, the CJI set up a three-judge bench to adjudge the issue. In HC, Jayalalithaa has challenged her conviction and four-year jail term in a case of disproportionate assets.

In this case, the judges had failed to reconcile their views on whether appearance of a special public prosecutor, who was appointed to conduct trial, was also authorised to argue in the appeal at the High Court. While one judge said that prosecutor’s continuation had vitiated the appeal and it required to be heard afresh, the other judge accorded legal sanctity to the proceedings.

The three-judge bench would begin hearing in the two cases from April 21.