Judge pledges support to Anna; addresses Ramlila crowd

Anna Hazare today had an unusual visitor at Ramlila Maidan in a sitting judge who pledged support to his anti-corruption crusade and demand to include judiciary under the ambit of Lokpal.

Civil Judge Ajay Pandey, who sits in the Tees Hazari court, drew a thunderous applause from Hazare supporters when he addressed the crowd on the "scourge of corruption".

"I have been a judge at the Parliament Street court and other places and have closely seen how corruption prevails and mighty people are let off," Pandey said.

"Seeing the crowds swelling everyday, I thought it would be against my conscience not to involve myself in such a movement," he said.

Only poor suffer and there is no accountability for them, he said, adding he wanted to express his solidarity with Hazare and the movement.

Media persons surrounded him after his address and asked him about his views on including judiciary within the purview of Lokpal. "The judiciary should be brought under the Lokpal Bill and their should be accountability in judiciary," Pandey told reporters.

Pandey said he was not afraid of any consequences for coming on a public forum as he has done no wrong.

"I am one amongst the public. Why should I be afraid? When the country is here how can one remain away. I think it was my duty to come here and support the fight against corruption and I did it, he said.