MUMBAI, July 23: The recent disclosure by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, J S Verma, about a ``gentleman'' bringing pressure on him and another judge to recuse themselves from the bench hearing the Jain Hawala case has sparked off a vociferous debate in the legal fraternity.

Senior lawyers of the Mumbai High Court and members of the Bar Association have strongly condemned the ``undue'' pressure brought upon the Supreme Court judges hearing the hawala case, and have urged the Chief Justice to take appropriate action against the concerned.

Iqbal Chagla, president of the Mumbai Bar Association, remarked ``I have no doubt that our judiciary can, and will withstand such pressures, but I do wish that the Chief Justice initiates contempt proceedings against the guilty to set an example.''

V R Manohar, senior advocate and former state advocate general, said, ``The Supreme Court and the Chief Justice had proclaimed and talked about transparency in the judicial system. Therefore, persons who interfere with the administration of justice for vested interests need to be exposed and booked for committing an offence under the Contempt of Courts Act''.

Satish Maneshinde, who defended film star Sanjay Dutt in the serial blast case, said politicians and persons in power have, in the past, tried to undermine the judiciary, as they felt that it was the only organ of society that was not susceptible to pressures. Once such elements were exposed, no one would dare to exert pressure on the judiciary , he opined.

Government pleader R V Govilkar termed this as a disturbing trend in the judicial system.

``Therefore, it will be in the fitness of things to take action against the person who had sought to bring pressure on supreme court judges. Mere disclosure of name will achieve no purpose,'' he further asserted.

Advocate Majeed Memon, who represents several accused in the serial blast case, stated, ``The people of India are entitled to know who the said gentleman is, and which forces are behind him in their bid to pollute the administration of justice at the highest level''.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.