Imposter telephones two HC Chief Justices in the voice of CJI Ranjan Gogoi, demands elevation of certain lawyers as judges

An impersonator telephoned two High Court Chief Justices claiming that he is the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, reports The Telegraph.

The imposter then sought from the two High Court Chief Justices, names of certain advocates for elevation as judges of High Courts.

The calls were made to Telangana High Court Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice L Narayana Swamy.

As per the report, the imposter hacked into the Supreme Court’s Electronic Private Branch Exchange (EPBX) System and made calls from a mobile phone.

The caller first called up Justice Narayana Swamy claiming to be Justice Gogoi’s private Secretary, HK Juneja.

He claimed that he was calling on behalf of Gogoi and wanted the names of certain advocates in Karnataka High Court to be recommended for judgeship.

The caller requested that the recommended names be sent to Justice Gogoi’s office. The impersonator telephoned Justice Swamy again after two days, introduced himself as Juneja once again and this time said CJI Gogoi wanted to speak to Justice Swamy directly.

The impersonator or someone else then imitated Justice Gogoi’s voice and spoke to Justice Swamy, reiterating the request for elevating the advocates.

The same process was followed with Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan too.

The fraud came to light during the conversation between Ranjan Gogoi J. and the two High Court Chief Justices.

A complaint has been lodged at the Tilak Marg police station. An internal probe has also been ordered by CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Further, the CJI has issued an advisory to Chief Justices and judges of High Courts not to entertain any calls either in his name or that of his office.