Justice Katju in the news again? How surprising. Which poor sod’s life is he saving or condemning now? He seems to have taken a break from calling Indians caste-ist and Pakistan a fake country. Stepping outside the realm of caste and geo-political matters, the retired justice is focusing on his area of expertise. But for once, he’s not the one playing judge and jury and has been dragged to court by a brave soul.

The great justice dragged to court! Asking for clemency for Sanjay Dutt is reason for being committed, but to be taken to court? Well, a petition has been filed in the Bombay high court against him. The petitioner claims that Katju is misusing his position by making wanton statements “which have disturbed a lot of people”.

This is definitely not the first time that the words “disturbed” and “Katju” have been used in the same sentence. Anything specific he’s done to disturb a lot of people this time? The petition has given a laundry list of just a few instances – from Katju seeking pardon for actor Sanjay Dutt, referring to majority of Indians as idiots, insulting Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, siding with Muslim victims of police atrocities, writing a nasty letter to Prithviraj Chavan after the Shaheen Dhadda episode happened. The petition has also prophesised that if given a free rein, “publicity hungry” Katju would prove to be a nuisance for society.

A little over-the-top wouldn’t you say? Over-the-top maybe, but not misplaced. Given that while even the President and Chief Justice of India can be impeached, according to the Press Council Act, there is no provision to remove the Chairperson of PCI under any circumstances. Which is why the petition also seeks an amendment to the Act.

So other than possessing the power of unrestricted speech,does Katju possess any other powers? Thankfully not too many. He has only a minuscule role as a press regulator. As the chairperson of Press Council all he can do is – “encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism, hold an inquiry on complaints that it deems as valid, if found guilty he can warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist. In extreme cases it can ask other newspapers or news agencies to publish particulars of an inquiry against a certain news paper or agency”.

How come no one told Katju that with great power comes great responsibility? That’s because he seldom uses these powers. He’s way too busy writing columns and waxing eloquent on anything and everything – a classic case of being inebriated by the exuberance of his own verbosity. According to an RTI, during 2008-09 to 2012-13, the Press Council closed most of the complaints it received against paid news and misleading ads owing to non-pursuance and settlement. One would think Katju should have enquired into the reason behind non-pursuance.

Are you expecting Katju to multi-task? Seek mercy for Bollywood brats and Khalistani militants and do his job well – all at the same time? Well, whether he does his job well or not, the government has been considering amending the Press Council of India Act. If that happens, the PCI might be given the power to suspend accreditation of a journalist or editor and registration of a publication besides stopping advertisements if they abuse their independence.

So, who’s this brave petitioner? This is where the plot thickens. The petitioner is a journalist called Arvind Pansare. He’s a reporter with Dainik Sanatan Prabhat and convener of Deshabhakta Patrakar Sangh, which is an extension of the Hindu Jagruti Sangh in Mumbai.

An uprising from the ranks. And what’s Katju’s reaction? Nothing. Maybe he thinks it’s not worth bothering with. After all he had more pressing matters to deal with. He had to meet the PM to seek pardon for five people in relation to the Mumbai blasts.

Aah Katju. Always keeping himself busy with matters of national interest!