New Delhi, April 28
A Supreme Court Bench today opted out of hearing a petition filed by Sikkim High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran challenging the inquiry being conducted by the Rajya Sabha-appointed panel for his removal through an impeachment motion in Parliament.

The Bench comprising Justices DK Jain and HL Dattu recused itself without citing any reason. The Judges said the matter would be assigned to another Bench which would hear it tomorrow.

The petition had been listed as a mentioning matter (meant for seeking urgent hearing) before the Bench. When the case was called out for hearing, the Bench opted out of the matter.

Facing charges of land grab and corruption, Justice Dinakaran has contended in the petition that senior advocate PP Rao, one of the three members of the RS panel, was biased against him. Rao had opposed his proposed elevation to the Supreme Court, he argued.