Khurshid's criticism of SC, EC stirs consternation

New Delhi, Mar.13 (ANI): Retired Delhi High Court Justice R.S.Sodhi on Thursday rubbished External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's criticism of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission.

"As far as criticism against the Supreme Court is concerned, everyone is permitted to do so. I would recommend a constructive criticism, and a criticism which must be positive. Merely criticizing just for the sake of criticism, shows lack of credibility. The Supreme Court doesn't lose anything from it. It is the person who is criticizing who loses his esteem," Justice Sodhi said.

Further lashing out at Khurshid for his baseless comments against the apex court, Justice Sodhi said: "Salman Khurshid's comments appeared to me unfounded, for the simple reason, that the government did not govern the country for the last ten years. The legislature just would not function, the executive has abdicated its duties. So, who will give directions. The Supreme Court has just given directions on cases that are pending before it, and it has been asked to adjudicate. Therefore, this criticism, that too coming from a (former) law minister (Salman Khurshid ) does not speak very highly of him," Justice Sodhi added.

Khurshid made the comment during an event in London. He said directions issued by the EC can only ensure that a party loses an election rather that win it.

"They are only three (Election Commissioners), and they can decide which word you can use during an election campaign. The broad philosophical approach is that you should do and say nothing that wins you an election, you should try your best to lose the election," Khurshid said.

Khurshid also urged the Supreme Court judges to stop directing parliamentarians and to get their act together.

"Judges sit, and, they say this is not to happen, and of course, go to the extent of threatening contempt proceedings against officials. Two judges can say anything about parliamentarians, that they will be allowed to contest or not, what kind of affidavit they have to file, what they can do, and so on," he said. (ANI)