Bangalore/New Delhi: In an apparent act of
defiance, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran,
who faces allegations of land grab that has stalled his
elevation to Supreme Court, has not proceeded on leave as
advised by the apex court collegium.
Justice Dinakaran is continuing with his
administrative work "as of today", sources said, adding he
has given no indication of proceeding on leave.
A piquant situation has thus arisen with the High
Court having a Chief Justice and the Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan shifting Delhi High Court acting Chief Justice
Madan B Lokur to Karnataka.
Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan said Justice Dinakaran
can defy the collegium's advice to go on leave. He said an
acting Chief Justice can only assume charge if the Chief
Justice proceeds on leave.
59-year-old Justice Dinakaran has not been
performing judicial functions after Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid
Ansari admitted a motion in December seeking his removal on
charges of corruption, land-grab and abuse of judicial office.
Allegations listed in the impeachment motion against
Justice Dinakaran included possessing wealth disproportionate
to his 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.
Justice Dinakaran has denied the allegations and
claimed that it was orchestrated to stall his elevation to the
Supreme Court.
PTI
First Published: Monday, April 05, 2010, 21:12