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Irate lawyers manhandle Chief Justice and lock two other judges in room
Anti-Dinakaran campaign turns violent in HC
Bangalore, Nov 10, DH News Service:
In a blow to the image of the Indian judiciary, violence erupted in dramatic fashion on the Karnataka High Court premises here on Monday, with Chief Justice P D Dinakaran reportedly manhandled by advocates protesting his continued involvement in court proceedings.
Adding to the high drama, two other judges were locked in for nearly an-hour-and-half and a mediaperson assaulted. The chief justice, already under attack for alleged malfeasance, was jostled in a melee, when he arrived at one of the courtrooms to secure the release of Justices V Gopala Gowda and B V Nagarathna. This is the first time that the Karnataka High Court witnessed such levels of behaviour and violence.
The two judges were locked up by the advocates. Later, Registrar General R B Budihal wrote to City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari that the chief justice was manhandled along with the two judges. Dinakaran sustained a minor injury—a bleeding cut on his left hand.
The Advocates Association of Bangalore (AAB) had passed a resolution calling for the boycott of work on Monday to protest against the chief justice sitting through court proceedings when allegations of land grabbing and corruption are being investigated by the Supreme Court collegium. The High Court on Saturday granted an interim stay on the resolution, but the AAB went ahead with the boycott.
Justice Dinakaran, who was sitting in courtroom in the morning, was interrupted by nearly 150 advocates led by AAB president K N Puttegowda, asking him not to conduct the hearings. As the advocates disrupted proceedings with repeated sloganeering, the chief justice tried to reason, saying: “What sin have I committed? Where can I go? I am also one among you. I have my own constitutional commitment. Allow me to discharge the same.”
But in the face of unrelenting protests, he left the courtroom. The advocates later turned their ire against two judges who were hearing cases in another court hall. Unable to persuade them to suspend the proceedings, the High Court lawyers, who were joined by the city civil court advocates by then, resorted to several disturbing acts like singing the national anthem, singing bhajans and songs, throwing books and paper missiles.
Eventually, the increasingly adamant crowd, locked the judges inside by shutting the doors and placing benches against them and turning off the lights.
It was finally at the intervention of the chief justice and with help from the police that the judges were allowed to leave. It was at this juncture that the surging crowd of advocates in the corridor, chanting slogans, reportedly manhandled the judges.
In his letter to the commissioner, the Registrar General has sought additional police protection for the chief justice, claiming that the incident happened in the presence of Puttegowda, senior counsel Premila Nesargi and other AAB office-bearers.
However, Justice Dinakaran sat for the afternoon session for about half-an-hour. Later, speaking to mediapersons, the chief justice, whose court disposed 17 matters on Monday, said that the administrative work was not hampered and justice had been rendered without hurting the rights of lawyers or litigants.
In the melee, a journalist was also assaulted and another threatened for trying to film the incidents.
Lawyers are supposed to be ethical people , using their brains for right cause. They have not protested against the MLAs who spent weeks in resort instead of alleviating misery of flood victims in North, but causing this ruckus for Dinakaran ! Let court decide Dinakarans fate. Have these agitating lawyers ever protested that Lok Ayukta is not given teeth to prosecute corrupt babus ? The mischief creaters should be caught and RIOTEER word should be etched on their forehead. Chinese or islamic punishments help.
Chief Justice of India is responsible for all these happenings. When it was decided to hold back the nomination of Dinakaran to the Supreme Court it confirms that prima facie there is evidence against him. CJI should have directed Dinakaran to keep away from the Court Room till a final decision is made in the interest of the dignity and integrity of the Indian Judiciary. You cannot force the Lawyers to plead or address the person "My Lord" or "Your Honour" knowingly that the person is a potential thief. It is true violence in the Court is regrettable. But Lathon ke Booth bathon se naheen manthe.
Where were the Karnataka Police when hooligan lawyers attacking chief Justice. I thought Indian Constitution provides complete protection to judiciary branch.
Is it because chief justice is a Dalit it is OK to assault like other Dalits in the state and country being done every day.
SHAME ON YOU INDIA and shame on you people of so called Democracy.
Dear Rajasekhar,Some special interest group wanted to obstruct the smooth functioning of KA High Court with the help of rowdies and police.We hope Governor and president of India going to take action against this govt to save the country image.
Please dont bring in the caste factor for each and every issue.Before making allegation please be sure that you can substantiate the same, otherwise calling the legal fraternity rowdies is nothing but defamation.
well said mr. sudip, calling legal fraternety is defamation in india, but attacking the judicial officers and high court judges is allowed under the code of conduct for lawyers.kudos Shetty saab, u have given a new trend to win the cases by advocates, if u want to win ur case dont use words(baathon)but use hands(laathon). just imagine what would happen if all the people including police and litigants start following this.
If what a Indian Well Wisher writes that Vaigai, a TN lawyer who started this "Land Grabbing" politics, is against Dinakaran for his personal revenge previously is true then this should be investigated
This Land issue will be decided by SC and TN govt why these KA bar entering into these issues.It seem some special interest group want to scandalize and obstruct the smooth functioning of KA High Court.
Show me one person in this country who is clean and straight, especially in a position and power who can emass unlimited public wealth. Isnt this the main reason we fought for independence.
I disagree with ur last sentence. But the problem is most of them who came to power after independence were working with the brits, so probably they knew how much wealth could be amassed when in power, and the same guys made sure that the people who fought for independence would fade away from the limelight.
Nonsense intentional allegations were given by set of lawyers, communists. Vaigai a TN lawyer who started this is against Dinakaran for his personal revenge previously, is a member of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (a CPM-affiliated farmers’ association) which is known for "Land Grabbing" politics.
Protests are necessary against all corrupt persons. Organise protests every week, read declaration of assets by MLAs and MPs. BUT LAWYERS BEWARE. BEHAVE.
No doubt the Judge in question is tainted. But, the Lawyers should not have behaved in such an unlawful manner. What confidence or faith the public will have on such lawyers who themselves break law. They deserve punishment through cancellation of bar-council membership and barring them from attending Courts and taking up cases.
They should have packed him to his land in K Rajapuram. With so much of land they could build a memorial soon Since in TN they have statues of DMK Chief all over the state.
Lawyers in Karnataka have become desperate to earn their living.Only efficient and good lawyers should be allowed to practice.Judges are the guardians of democracy.The Rule of law is supreme.Judges of integrity,honesty,and truthful,should be taken care by the government in providing them safety and comfort.Common man will get no justice and wrong will prevail over right.Lawyers become liars,and system will derail.Police should prevent such incidents,by giving appropriate protection.Violent lawyers should be arrested and bring to justice.We hear lawyers corrupting judges, in many cases and thereby aborting justice.Restore democracy and fairness in society.Lawyers are spokesman for the man on the street against injustice and corruption.
Adding to the high drama, two other judges were locked in for nearly an-hour-and-half and a mediaperson assaulted. The chief justice, already under attack for alleged malfeasance, was jostled in a melee, when he arrived at one of the courtrooms to secure the release of Justices V Gopala Gowda and B V Nagarathna. This is the first time that the Karnataka High Court witnessed such levels of behaviour and violence.
