One judge on Teesta bench sought recusal, but who? - Times of India

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice HL Dattu on Monday issued a statement saying the hearing of anticipatory bail petitions of social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband were shifted out of a bench of Justices Mukhopadhaya and N V Ramana "on the direct recusal" of one of the judges.

In the press briefing held by registrar M K Hanjura on behalf of the CJI, it was said that "there was no basis for the story on change of bench" reported by the TOI. The registrar repeatedly asked the TOI reporter where from he got the information that the judges had not recused. But he refused to name the judge whose recusal forced the CJI to shift the case to a new bench.

READ ALSO: In rare case, CJI sends Teesta Setalvad's bail plea to new SC bench

Both the judges categorically told TOI on February 18 evening that they had neither orally nor in writing conveyed their desire to recuse from the hearing.

TOI on February 18 found from the cause-list issued by the Supreme Court that the anticipatory bail petitions of Setalvad and her husband would be heard by a new bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Adarsh Goel on February 19.

On February 13, the bench of Justices Mukhopadhaya and Ramana had heard the case for 30 minutes. It had asked a few uncomfortable questions but acceded to her counsel's request for adjournment till February 19 to facilitate filing of certain documents. The bench extended stay on their arrest till further orders while assuring that justice would be done to both sides.

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