CJI, SC judges to contribute Rs 25,000 each towards Kerala relief fund

Meanwhile, social networking giant Facebook is also donating $250,000 (nearly Rs 1.75 crore) for relief work in Kerala.
CJI, SC judges to contribute Rs 25,000 each towards Kerala relief fund
CJI, SC judges to contribute Rs 25,000 each towards Kerala relief fund
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The Chief Justice of India and judges of the Supreme Court are contributing Rs 25,000 each towards Kerala flood relief fund. The money will be deposited in the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.

The Chief Justice Dipak Misra had earlier in the course of a hearing said that judges of the top court too are individually contributing towards Kerala flood relief fund. 

The Chief Justice's statement came during a hearing of a contempt case against an organisation which alleged "conflict of interest" linking Chief Justice Misra with his "cousin" who is a lawyer and Member of Parliament.

The issue involved was a plea seeking to debark the lawyers-turned-lawmakers from practising law during their tenure as lawmakers. The judgment on the issue has been reserved.

Initially, the lawyer who also happens to be the General Secretary of the organisation offered a unconditional apology "from the core of his heart and with folded hands."

However, senior counsel Shekhar Naphade, appearing for one of the petitioners, said it was too serious a matter and that apology should be accompanied with a monetary penalty.

As CJI Misra was inquiring about the quantum of monetary penalty, Attorney General KK Venugopal said whatever may be the amount, it should go to Kerala flood relief fund.

As Attorney General said that lawyers were mobilising money to contribute towards the flood relief fund, CJI Misra said, "We are also making some contributions towards the relief effort."

It was suggested that the organisation facing contempt contribute Rs 5 lakh along with an apology.

Meanwhile, social networking giant Facebook is also donating $250,000 (nearly Rs 1.75 crore) for relief work in Kerala, which has been battered by torrential rains, floods and landslides, leaving over 300 dead amid massive destruction, the company said on Monday.

Facebook will donate the money through the Community Resilience Fund for GOONJ -- a Delhi-based non-profit organisation that is leading the relief and recovery efforts in the impacted localities.

"In the last few days, Facebook along with the power of the community, has helped reach out to people through features such as Live, creating Page, joining community and raising funds," a Facebook spokesperson told IANS.

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