'I am also a sufferer': Dhankar backs CJI Gavai on 'protocol breach'; laments 'no FIR' in cash-at-home row

NEW DELHI: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday echoed Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai views on the importance of protocol and institutional respect, saying that he too had experienced a lapse in protocol. He praised the judiciary for taking recent steps towards accountability but cautioned that India’s constitutional structure was showing signs of strain."The Supreme Court has acted commendably so far, especially Justice Khanna’s move to put key documents in the public domain—a major step for accountability and transparency," the VP said.Referring to the protocol controversy involving CJI Gavai’s recent visit to Maharashtra, Dhankhar backed the Chief Justice’s concerns. “As the present Chief Justice of India said, we must believe in protocol,” Dhankhar said, adding, “I am also a sufferer; you have seen the photograph of the President and the Prime Minister, but not of the Vice-President.”He pledged to ensure his successor would have their photograph displayed after he demits office, and reiterated that while protocol may seem minor, its neglect signals deeper institutional disregard.Still no FIR: VP on discovery of cash at Justice Verma's houseSpeaking on the discovery of cash at then-Delhi high court judge Yashwant Verma, Dhankhar voiced concerns over what he called a lack of urgency from law enforcement. “We’re confronted with a jarring reality. A judge’s residence in Lutyens’ Delhi had burnt notes and cash. There is no FIR till date,” he said, adding, “There can be no occasion whatsoever to delay even for a moment because that is ordainment of law.”Dhankhar questioned why the criminal justice process had not been activated promptly, stressing that no individual should be above scrutiny. “Immunity for the Hon'ble President and Governor exists only while in office. This issue strikes at the heart of the institutions that define our democracy,” he said.Dhankhar also raised concern about the three-judge committee formed by the judiciary to investigate the matter. “Can we, in this country, afford to invest so much time at the cost of administrative work of the Chief Justice of a High Court, or judicial work of the High Court? Just imagine how much labour has been involved for Chief Justices of two High Courts.” he said.He asked whether the judicial system had been compromised and whether the “money trail” had polluted the judiciary. “Two months have passed. Investigation must proceed swiftly, as must the registration of an FIR,” he urged. "How come the criminal justice system was not operationalised as it would have done for every other individual? ... This issue for which people are waiting with bated breath, the money trail, its source, its purpose, did it pollute the judicial system? Who are the bigger sharks? We need to find out. Already two months have gone by and no one knows better than people before me. Investigation is required to be with expedition," he said.The Vice-President criticised the precedent set by the Supreme Court’s 1991 K. Veeraswami judgment, which grants judges virtual immunity from investigation without prior approval and said that "time has come to revisit" it.