On Friday, stating that he doesn't want the case to be decided under a shadow that he knew CJI from school and college or any allegation or conflict of interest, Senior Advocate Harish Salve recuse himself from Supreme Court's suo-moto proceedings on matters related to Covid-19 pandemic mismanagement across country.
"It's the most sensitive case this Court will look into", he said to CJI.
CJI SA Bobde who is retiring today said their relationship is no secret to no one.
On this, Salve reverted:
I did not know our Bar is divided among industries we appear for. Please allow me to recuse with all humility. I appeared for Vedanta since I was informed ten minutes before mentioning...I don't want any side show. The language of the narrative now is very different."
CJI then accepted his decision and said:
"We will honour your sentiments and you must have been pained. We will allow your request. I also saw what a senior lawyer said but everyone has an opinion."
Yesterday, Salve was appointed to assist the Court in the matter by a Bench led by of CJI SA Bobde comprising of and Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice Ravindra Bhat.
The Bench had stated that it would only hear Salve and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the matter.
While appearing for Vedanta yesterday, Salve submitted that the company could produce oxygen at its Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu to make up for the shortage being faced in hospitals treating COVID-19 across the country which received a flak.
Later in the day, the SCBA also reached Supreme Court against the Bench's decision to club all related matter to Covid mismanagement currently being handled by various High Courts under one. The Bar is of the view that it is irrational as HCs are best suited to deal with the matters locally.
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