Cong MP to explain his remarks on judiciary to party leaders

Kannur (Ker), Feb 17 (PTI) Facing flak for his ''anti-judiciary'' remarks, Congress MP K Sudhakaran today said heregretted the embarrassment caused by his comments to theparty but would explain his position to the leadership.

"My intention was not to attack the judiciary, but toexpress concern over the unhealthy trend among certainsections of judicial officers. I regret the embarrassment itcaused to my party. I will explain my stand to AICC PresidentSonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and KPCC PresidentRamesh Chennithala," he told reporters here.

The judiciary and judicial officers should be seenseparately, he said, adding what he had sought to raise werepolitical and social issues. Whatever statements are made byCongress leaders in their speeches need not always be taken asthe party''s official position, he said.

In a speech at a public meeting on February 12 atKottarakkara in Kollam district, Sudhakaran had said he waswitness to a judge being bribed, apparently for getting afavourable decision in a case seeking restoration of barlicences cancelled by the Kerala High Court.

"While referring to unhealthy trends in the judiciary,I had only mentioned an incident which came to my mind at thetime," he said.

He said he would explain what he had said at theappropriate forum if called upon to do that.

Sudhakaran, who represents Kannur in Lok Sabha, madethe claim without naming the judge at a function organised toextend moral support to Kerala Congress-B leader R BalakrishnaPillai, who was recently sentenced to one year imprisonment bythe Supreme Court in a corruption case.

Virtually disapproving of Sudhakaran''s remarks,Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy hadsaid that there should not be attempts from any quarter toquestion the judiciary''s credibility.

Former Chief Justice of India Justice V N Khare hadalso termed the allegations are ridiculous, but said it shouldbe probed and if not proved, then Sudhakaran should face legalproceedings.