Justice Gowri had been in the eye of the storm ever since the Collegium recommended her elevation to the Madras High Court on January 17.
This kicked off discussion in legal circles and on social media about Gowri’s credentials and her alleged affiliation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
An unverified Twitter account allegedly belonging to Gowri claimed in its bio that she was the National General Secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha.
Pertinently, her remarks against Islam and Christianity, which are available on YouTube, also kicked up a storm.
A petition was then filed before the top court challenging the Collegium recommendation.
The plea raised concerns that she had allegedly exhibited “strong prejudice” against citizens on the ground of their religious affiliation.
However, before it could be heard, the Central government cleared her appointment.
The Madras High Court then decided to proceed with the swearing in despite the top court being seized of the plea.
Eventually however, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea.
The bench had said that the issue raised in the petition pertained not to the eligibility of Justice Gowri but to her suitability which was a subjective assessment that the Court would not be able to examine.
The Court had further said that the Collegium would have considered all material against Justice Gowri and the top court would not, at a belated juncture, interfere with the Collegium’s decision.
Source: Barandbench
