Can Justice Katju Appear Before the Supreme Court?

By Vijay Kumar

YESTERDAY we reported that the Supreme had requested Justice Markandey Katju to appear before it in person to participate in the proceedings on 11th November, 2016.

But can Justice Katju appear before the Supreme Court?

As per Article 124(7) of the Constitution, "No person who has held office as a Judge of the Supreme Court shall plead or act in any court or before any authority within the territory of India."

Justice Katju posted,

I have yet to receive the notice from the Supreme Court in the Soumya case, though I have been informally informed about it by the advocate on record of the Kerala Govt..

However, I am preparing my detailed response, which I will post on my fb page later.

I am mentioning therein that I would be delighted to appear and discuss the matter in open court, but would only like the judges to consider whether, being a former Supreme Court judge I am debarred from appearing by Article 124(7) of the Constitution. If the judges hold that it does not debar me, I would be happy to appear and place my views .