‘Judges’ joint statement ‘work of CJ’s confidantes’

A joint statement issued by the Judges’ Union after their meeting with the Chief Justice did not contain the general opinion of the entire judges’ community, according to reliable Judicial sources.

Some judges who attended the meeting said the so-called joint statement issued after their meeting with the Chief Justice contained the opinion of a small minority of judges who represented the

Chief Justice and as such it had been drawn up according to a pre-arranged plan.

The Chief Justice acting against customary Judicial procedure, summoned a meeting of all magistrates and judges of the District and High Courts at short notice on December 3 and expressed her views on the impeachment motion against her. The opinion of a majority of magistrates and judges who attended the meeting had been that the Chief Justice should face the impeachment according to the constitution.

They emphasised that it was morally wrong on their part to exert pressure on the impeachment process taking place according to the constitutional and legal process. Another section of the judges expressed the view that it would be prudent to stop this activity by informing the President.

After the judges who expressed these sentiments left the meeting, another section who remained had issued this joint statement to the media.