Judge Who Evolved PIL Best For President: Educator

New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) Former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati was named today as a 'best suited'-- independent, non-partisan-- candidate for the post of President, when incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam retires next month.

The suggestion came from Lucknow-based educator Jagdish Gandhi, who has written to 31 Parliamentary leaders of political parties to make Justice Bhagwati a consensus candidate for President.

Justice Bhagwati is credited with having evolved public interest litigation, Lok Adalats and Legal Aid Movement to help India's poor and underprivileged, before he retired as CJI in December 1986.

Gandhi told journalists that with social, cultural and ethnic differences threatening to take menacing proportions, it is ''vital'' that the President's is a ''voice of consensus, above narrow political and caste considerations.

''There has to be an impartial, non-political voice that could be heard acoss the spectrum of Indian polity and society.'' He said he has written to leaders in Parliament of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist (Marxist) Party of India, Sawajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Shiv Sena, Janata Dal and Shiromani Akali Dal. ''I am sure they will consider it.'' Gandhi mentioned a number of cases adjudicated by Justice Bhagwati which reflected his concern for the weaker citizens and victims, such as bonded labour.

The concept of 'public injury' evolved by Justice Bhagwati allows public spirited citizens to approach a court for redressal of public injury in terms of human rights, environment, administration of justice, arbitrary action of the executive and investigation of cases involving occupants of high-public offices.

''Justice Bhagwati, more than any other Judge in Indian history, made justice accessible to the poorest of the poor,'' Gandhi said, adding he was recognised the world over as ''one of the greatest judges the country has ever produced.'' He cited Justice Bhagwati's view that in administering law and dispensing justice, ''we must... always keep in mind the common man who has suffered social and economic injustice at the hands of the powerful sections of the community.'' Asked if he had spoken to the former CJI before calling the news conference, Gandhi said he had and that if political parties approach him, Justice Bhagwati would consider it.

Reached over the telephone, Justice Bhagwati told UNI , ''if people of India want me, I would be willing.'' UNI