“Teesta Bench” was changed because one of the judges recused, SC Registrar clarifies; Two new Benches to deal with criminal and tax matters

The Supreme Court today clarified that the Bench hearing the anticipatory bail petition of Teesta Setalvad was changed because one of the judges, who was initially hearing the case, recused himself..This clarification was given by Registrar MK Hanjura in an interaction with the media at the Supreme Court today evening. The bail petition of Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand was initially heard by a Bench comprising Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya and Justice NV Ramana. Subsequently, it was shifted to another Bench presided by Justice Dipak Misra without any notice or explanation..“There was a report by one of the media organisations that the Bench was changed at the behest of the Chief Justice of India. That is not correct. One of the judges had recused from the case as a result of which the Bench was changed”, he said..Hanjura also said that the Supreme Court considers media as one of the significant wheels in the functioning of the system and that journalists should report in a correct and fair manner..When the scribes sought details about the judge who recused, Hanjura said that only the Chief Justice is aware of it..Not the ones to take it lying down, the journalists demanded that there should be greater transperancy regarding these matters. “Publish these details on the website. We believe we are also stakeholders in this system”, said one senior journalist..Besides Teesta issue, Hanjura also said that the Supreme Court will be constituting two Benches to exclusively hear criminal and tax matters..“One Bench will hear criminal appeals and criminal SLPs. Those matters in which accused are languishing in jails and whose bail plea have been rejected by lower courts will be heard on a priority basis. The other Bench will hear tax matters. Both the Bench will sit from March 9 on daily basis.”.Hanjura also said that there are 11,137 criminal matters and 10,843 tax matters pending before the Supreme Court..Further, Hanjura informed that the Supreme Court campus will become a Wi-fi zone by the end of this month. Anybody within the precincts of the Supreme Court will be able to access the Wi-fi free of cost.