Supreme Court appoints acting chief justice to Karnataka HC

In a masterstroke to avoid an unprecedented situation of having two chief justices (CJs) in one high court (HC), the Supreme Court (SC) collegium has appointed Delhi HC judge Madan Lokur “acting CJ” of the Karnataka HC.

The collegium had earlier advised controversial Karnataka HC chief justice PD Dinakaran to proceed on leave pending a probe by a constitutional panel into the charges of corruption and judicial impropriety against him under the Judges Inquiry Act. But there was apprehension that he may not heed, since, as reported by DNA on Sunday, the advice is not binding.

Since there were initial reports that Lokur had been appointed CJ, this would have created the aforesaid unprecedented situation. The collegium has averted that crisis by appointing Lokur acting CJ.

Normally, an HC judge is made acting CJ when CJ is on leave or the post is vacant or there is other contingency.

Meanwhile, the collegium has reportedly decided to elevate Bombay HC chief justice AR Dave to SC. Dave is part of the three-member panel assigned to sift facts from allegations against Dinakaran. The panel is headed by SC judge VS Sirpurkar and includes noted constitutional lawyer PP Rao.

The collegium also paved the way for Jharkhand HC chief justice Gyan Sudha Mishra’s elevation. She becomes the fourth woman judge to adorn the top court. Madras HC chief justice HL Gokhale is also on his way to SC.