The Supreme Court on Wednesday deprecated the attempts made for recusal of a judge from a Constitution bench hearing challenges to provisions of the Land Acquisition Act saying it is nothing but a ploy of "bench hunting" which, if allowed, "would destroy the institution".
The top court said if request of parties demanding that Justice Arun Mishra be recused from the five-judge Constitution bench is accepted, it would be the "blackest chapter in history" as an "onslaught is going on to tame the judiciary".
The bench, also comprising justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Sharan, M R Shah and S Ravindra Bhat, said it would pronounce order on October 23 on the plea seeking the recusal.
"This is nothing but an attempt of bench hunting and you want a person of your liking to be in the bench. If we allow your request and accept your view for recusal of judge, it will be destroying the institution. This is a serious issue and history will judge it that even senior counsel were involved in this attempt," Justice Mishra told senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for some farmer association.
