Bangalore: Facing an impeachment motion in
Rajya Sabha, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran
who is caught in a quagmire of allegations of land grabbing
and possessing assets disproportionate to known sources of
income will not be hearing any cases till further orders.
A one-line notification issued by the High Court Registrar
General Budhihal today said that Justice Dinakaran will not be
presiding over the Bench till further orders.
It was not immediately clear whether Justice Dinakaran has
himself withdrawn from judicial duties or was directed to so
so.
Sources said Justice Dinakaran has himself opted out of
judicial duties and that he would only take up administrative
matters.
Justice Dinakaran has not been presiding over any case
during the past one week.
A united Opposition on Monday initiated the process of
impeachment of Justice Dinakaran by moving a notice in Rajya
Sabha, signed by 76 members, for his removal.
The 55-page notice, listing 12 acts of misbehaviour by
Justice Dinakaran, was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid
Ansari under Judges (Enquiry) Act, 1968. Barring Congress and
DMK, MPs of almost all parties in Rajya Sabha signed the
notice.
Justice Dinakaran has denied all the charges against him.
Allegations listed in the impeachment motion against
Justice Dinakaran include possessing wealth disproportionate
to known sources of income, unlawfully securing five housing
board plots in the name of his wife and two daughters,
entering into benami transactions, and acquiring and
possessing agricultural holdings beyond ceiling limit.
Other allegations related to illegal encroachment on
government and public property to deprive dalits and poor of
their livelihood, violation of human rights of dalits and poor
and destruction of evidence during official enquiry.
Accusing the judge of abusing his judicial office, the
motion alleged that Justice Dinakaran passed dishonest
judicial orders in matters where he had personal and direct
pecuniary interest. BJP’s Arun Jaitley demanded that Justice
Dinakaran should not continue.
The elevation of Justice Dinakaran has also been put on
hold after it was mired in controversy.
Justice Dinakaran also reportedly suggested to Chief
Justice of India K G Balakrishnan to set up a three-judge
in-house panel to probe the charges.
His contention was that while unsubstantiated charges were
flying thick and fast against him, he had no opportunity or a
forum to prove his innocence.
Justice Dinakaran later is reported to have later
withdrawn his offer for submitting himself for inquiry before
the in-house panel after he was told about the implications of
his suggestion.
PTI
