“Prashant Bhushan Criticizes Justice Dutta’s Remarks on ADR as ‘Shockingly Unjustified’; TV Mohandas Pai Says Remarks ‘Reflect Poorly on ADR'”
In an 18-page opinion, Justice Dipankar Dutta stated that “certain vested groups” are trying to undermine the nation’s accomplishments, which have been “earned through hard work and dedication.”
On April 26, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking cross-verification of votes cast in electronic voting machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Dutta had reserved the decision for judgment on April 24 for the second time, relisting the plea to get clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Justice Dipankar Dutta’s concurring opinion reflected his stance on the matter. Responding to his views, lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan tweeted that Justice Dutta’s remarks on the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) were “shockingly unjustified.” Bhushan criticized Justice Dutta for making ad hominem comments about an organization with a strong public interest record.
Bhushan stressed that judges should consider how their comments may reflect more on themselves than on the organizations they critique.
Sudheendra Kulkarni questioned whether a Supreme Court judge should denounce a respected civil society organization like ADR, which works to promote democracy in India. Kulkarni highlighted ADR’s pivotal role in exposing the Electoral Bonds scam.
TV Mohandas Pai supported Justice Dutta’s remarks, stating that ADR and similar groups can hinder good governance, similar to NGOs that oppose infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges.
