CBI judge Nagamaruthi Sarma became highly emotional on Friday and told the defense counsel for Emaar scam accused and IAS officers BP Acharya and LV Subramanyam that he would be ever ready even to sacrifice his life for the sake of justice and asked them not to doubt his integrity.

The judge made these comments when defense lawyer Surendra Rao objected to the judge allowing CBI joint director VV Lakshminarayana and CBI counsel Mr Ravindranath into his chamber and holding discussions with him on the case.

“No doubt you are just like Lord Rama in dispensing justice but we take objection to your allowing them into your chamber. Whatever discussions, they should take place in the court hall and not secretly,” Surendra Rao told the judge.

Reacting to this, the judge said there was nothing secret in the discussions saying they handed over a memo to him seeking directions to the Centre to accord sanction speedily for the prosecution of IAS officers BP Acharya and LV Subramanyam. The judge also handed over a copy of the memo to the defense lawyer.

The judge further told the defense lawyer that he would henceforth not allow any one into his chamber. “But kindly don’t doubt my integrity as I am ready to deliver justice even at the time of my last breath. Please remember I am ready to shell down my life for the sake of justice,” the judge told him.

The judge later dismissed the memo saying his court was not authorized to issue directions to the Centre on the prosecution of IAS officers. He also directed the CBI to submit copies of all submissions to the defense counsel too. (J)