CJI plays down Judge’s absence

Chief Justice HL Dattu on Sunday termed as “unfortunate” the controversy surrounding his colleague Kurian Joseph’s objection to the holding of judges’ conference on Good Friday and said while all Supreme Court judges are invited, the presence of only top three is mandatory. Seeking to downplay the controversy, Justice Dattu said the two-day affair on Friday and Saturday was actually not a ‘conference’ but a meeting where judges discuss among themselves issues and problems related to the judiciary. When asked about the issues raised by Justice Joseph, he termed it as “unfortunate.”

“I am the head of the family, if one member questions me, we will settle it ourselves,” he told reporters in an informal interaction.