DMK writes to vice-prez; seeks Katju's removal as PCI chairman

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday shot off a letter to the vice-president and Supreme Court Chief Justice, seeking removal of Press Council Chairman Markandeya Katju saying a person with continuous outbursts and temperamental behaviour is not fit for holding office.

"DMK is submitting this representation to bring to your notice the various omissions and commissions of Markandeya Katju, which amounts to misconduct and proven misbehaviour and therefore seeking removal from said post," the letter, which was also sent to the Union Ministers of Law and Justice and Information and Broadcasting, said.

"Katju has belittled the post due to his continuous outbursts and temperamental behaviour, which is not expected from a person holding the public office", the letter sent by DMK Legal Wing Secretary R S Bharathi said.

The letter said that Katju, right from the date of assuming office as PCI chairman had been issuing controversial statements and criticising political leaders, parliamentarians, legislators and now the Judiciary, "which is our respectful opinion a whole time officer holding a public office is not expected to do."

By drawing pay from the Central government and availing perks at the cost of the public exchequer, Katju is expected to maintain utmost dignity, decency and decorum of the post, the party said.

The DMK pointed out that Katju, being a statutory authority, cannot act as a mouthpiece of any political party nor air his controversial views which are political in nature while holding public office.

Last week, DMK President M Karunanidhi had lashed out at Katju, also a former Supreme Court Judge, for his allegations on a Tamil Nadu additional judge, which put his party under a cloud, and accused him of acting under 'indirect pressure'.

Listing out some of Katju's comments on various occasions, the party said, "all along Katju was targeting the Parliamentarians and legislators. Now his ammunition is being fired against the judiciary. We suspect he is making such a statement only to silence the judiciary and dilute the powers of contempt of court".

"..since the Central government is duty bound to protect the image and credibility of the Council so that people's faith in the Council and judiciary is not shaken, Katju has to be removed from the post", the letter said.