The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed the plea challenging the recommendation of its Collegium to elevate former BJP leader and hate speech accused advocate L Victoria Gowri as a judge of the Madras High Court.
“We are not entertaining the writ petition. Reasons to follow,” a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai said.
Meanwhile, Victoria Gowri took oath as additional judge of Madras High Court Tuesday.
All India Lawyers Union, staged a protest outside the court against former Hindutva politician’s appointment.
The protesters pointed to her association with the BJP and instances of hate speech against Muslims by her.
The top court said people with political backgrounds had been judges in the past. “There have been cases where people with political backgrounds have taken oath as judges of the Supreme Court and High Court,” said Justice Khanna.
“I also have a political background. I have been a judge for the last 20 years. I don’t think my political views at any point of time weighed with my decisions,” said Justice Gavai. He also referred to Justice V R Krishna Iyer, who was a minister in Kerala.
However, Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, appearing for the petitioners said it was not a question of political opinion but of hate speech.
A recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium for her appointment on January 17 led to condemnation by lawyers, Opposition and rights groups.
