Row over Kerala judge's comments on advocate general takes new turn
Trivandrum - The proposed resolution signed by 75 lawyers alleged that Dandapani and his family members were putting pressure on Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan to shift the 'bold and independent judge' from his current responsibilities.
Published: Thu 6 Aug 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Thu 6 Aug 2015, 11:09 AM
The raging row over the scathing criticism of advocate general and the government pleaders by Justice Alexander Thomas has taken a new turn with the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association rallying against the state's top most law officer.
The executive committee of the association that met at Cochin on Wednesday has given its nod for moving a resolution proposed by a section of the association against an alleged attempt by AG K P Dandapani and his family members to shift the judge to some other jurisdiction.
The proposed resolution signed by 75 lawyers alleged that Dandapani and his family members were putting pressure on Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan to shift the 'bold and independent judge' from his current responsibilities. It has urged the chief justice not to succumb to these pressures. Justice Alexandar Thomas is currently heading the bench considering criminal and miscellaneous petitions.
The executive committee allowed the lawyers to move the resolution at the special general body of the association slated to be held at Cochin on Monday. The committee rejected the AG's letter to the association president urging him to deny permission to the resolution.
He termed the charges listed against him in the resolution baseless. He said there was no attempt on his part or that of his family members to change the jurisdiction of the judge. Dandapani claimed that the resolution was interference into the CJ's constitutional duty to constitute benches.
"Moving such a resolution will interfere with administration of justice, which amounts to criminal contempt of court," the letter said adding that the resolution will amount to contempt of the court. He alleged that those behind the resolution had the ulterior motive to tarnish his image.
The move for the resolution came soon after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy sought to avert a confrontation with the judges. Chandy had advised the pleaders to take the criticism in a positive spirit and improve their functioning.
The row was fuelled by the criticism of the government pleaders and the suggestion to shut down the AG's office by the judge while considering a case involving the police officials last month. The judge continued the criticism even after the government expressed full trust in the AG.
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