Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge Justice K V Viswanathan has recused himself from a case after the hearing was wrapped up and judgment reserved, making it a rare instance of recusal at the stage of pronouncement of the verdict.One of the leading advocates in the country with a flourishing practice before he was elevated as an SC judge, Justice Viswanathan had appeared in innumerable cases for various clients in his 35 years of practice.While adjudicating a petition filed by Alchemist Asset Reconstruction Company Pvt Ltd (AARC), a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Viswanathan had reserved its verdict on March 17. However, Justice Viswanathan later came to know he had once appeared for AARC as an advocate. Justice Viswanathan immediately recused himself, and the bench recalled its order of March 17 and asked the CJI to reconstitute the bench for a fresh hearing in the case.“This matter was heard, and the judgment was reserved. After the judgment came to be reserved, it has come to the notice of Hon’ble K V Viswanathan… his lordship had appeared as a counsel for the appellant in the corporate insolvency resolution process… In such circumstances, the order dated March 17 is recalled,” the bench said.
