Mamata Banerjee's judiciary remark may take her to court

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was at her vitriolic best while accusing the judiciary directly of corruption. But this time she may have gone a bit too far. "These days judgements can be bought in lieu of money," said Mamata.

The legal eagles are vocal in protest. Soli Sorabjee said, "You can't make such baseless, scandalous allegations."

Mamata's earned no sympathy from the political class in West Bengal either. State Congress secretary Om Prakash Misra said, "She is in denial mode. She is trying to undermine and destroy institutions."

Lawyers and jurists have hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for saying that the judges are for sale.

But an embarrassed Centre sought to downplay the faux pas by its troublesome ally. Congress leader and Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid saidm "In what context that statement was made I don't know. But I strongly believe that intention would be that the independence of the judiciary is protected."

Mamata's outburst has provoked a lawyer to file a petition against her in Calcutta High Court against her.

Subroto Mukherjee, Counsel said, "I am hurt by the comments made by a constitutional authority of a state. How can one cast aspersion on judiciary one of the pillars of our democracy."

The last word has not been spoken yet. Come Wednesday, the action will shift to Calcutta High Court, which will decide on admitting the petition against Mamata.

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