Karnataka advocate general today appealed to the state high court chief justice, P D Dinakaran, who is facing charges of 'amassing enormous wealth'.
Karnataka advocate general today appealed to the state high court chief justice, P D Dinakaran, who is facing charges of 'amassing enormous wealth', to sit on the bench and conduct judicial proceedings amid controversy over his elevation to the supreme court.
AG Ashok Haranahally's appeal came after justice Dinakaran reportedly expressed his unwillingness to conduct the proceedings following a resolution passed by Advocates Association of Bangalore asking him to refrain from attending or presiding over judicial sessions till he was cleared of the charges levelled against him.
Several high court judges, who met justice Dinakaran at his residence yesterday, said they were also not willing to preside over court proceedings fearing even they could be targeted in future, advocate general said.
Haranahally along with additional advocate general K M Nataraj and state public prosecutor Pavin met justice Dinakaran and asked him to reconsider his decision.
Describing media reports on the issue as "very disturbing", he said "by one stroke, the image of the judiciary as well as that of the chief justice is sought to be tarnished".
He said, "A representation made by some members of the Bar to the Chief Justice of India alleging that justice Dinakaran owned vast properties in Tamil Nadu and other allegations led to an inference that the chief justice of Karnataka high court is of doubtful integrity". Haranahally said despite justice Dinakaran had been in the office for over a decade, charges had been raked up now when his name was being considered for elevation to the supreme court.
"At this stage, the question is whether the allegations could be treated as gospel truth or that could be the basis to publicly question the integrity of a Judge," he said. He added that the person against whom the allegations were made was the head of the judiciary and "in making such sweeping allegations, we are bringing down the image of the judiciary itself".
However, he said, this did not mean that the Bar members should support persons who were corrupt. "At the same time, the character and reputation of person holding high office cannot be denigrated in a casual manner," the AG said.
On Advocates Association's recent resolution requesting justice Dinakaran not to participate in judicial proceedings till he was cleared of the charges, he said the allegations emanated from some members of the Tamil Nadu Bar and their correctness was so far not examined by the members of the Bangalore Bar.
"Several allegations made in representation to CJI did not merit any consideration...in this background it is necessary to remind ourselves that Bar members have a duty to protect the judiciary and it is their duty to bring to the CJI's notice any complaint against functioning of a judge," he added.
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