Gopal Subramanium withdraws consent to be SC judge

In a nine-page letter, Subramanium refuted allegations that were made against him. “I am fully conscious that my independence as a lawyer is causing apprehensions that I will not toe the line of the government," he wrote.

Subramanium, who was solicitor-general during 2009-11, said he was “unable to dispel the sense of unease that the judiciary has failed to assert its independence by respecting the likes and dislikes of the executive."

He stated that his work as an amicus curiae (friend of the court), especially in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case and other similar cases, has led to him being “targeted" because of his “independence and integrity" in dealing with the issues.

“Judicial appointments are matters of great seriousness. They must be dealt with that way by both the governments and the judiciary. The processes must be completely insulated. In the matters of judicial appointments, governments must be prepared that there would be judges who would question governmental behaviour. You cannot have a silent, understanding and shall we say a coordinate judiciary." he said in a press conference on Wednesday. Regarding the process of judicial appointment, he clarified that he believed the government had a “role to play in judicial appointments."

“But this must be exercised with the measure of circumspection, reasonableness and fairness." he added.

After the announcement of Subramanium’s candidature as an apex court judge, several allegations were made against him, including that he met with the counsel of A. Raja, former telecom minister and an accused in the 2G scam . In a press release, Subramanium refuted the allegations made in media reports.