APPs to be appointed on contract basis

Sessions judge to recommend 5 advocates

Making a submission before the High Court during the hearing on Public Interest Litigation over increasing pendency of cases, Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli said that the sessions judge may forward names of five advocates for the appointment of APPs on contract basis for a period of one year or until the post is filled through regular appointment.

Submitting a memo by A K M Nayak, Additional Chief  Secretary, the Advocate General stated that the government will fill up the vacancies of Public Prosecutors in accordance with the procedures prescribed under Section 24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The sessions judge is required to prepare a panel of names of advocates with experience of not less than seven years. “Further steps will be taken on receipt of the recommendations,” he said.

Regarding the pending appointment of  First Division Assistants (FDA) and Second Division Assistants (SDA), the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) said that the list of 411 SDAs and 225 FDAs has already been sent to the government for appointment.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit adjourned the matter.

Counter affidavit directed

The High Court has directed the executive magistrate, Mysore to file counter affidavit regarding allegations against him in connection with the recent communal riots in Mysore.
“As per rules you cannot detain a person for more than 24 hours whereas in this case, you have detained  people for 20 days. Such incidents will add fuel to fire,” a division bench comprising Justices V Gopalagowda and Dr Bhaktavatsala observed. The bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition by Noorjahan, a resident of Mandimohalla, following detention of 113 persons.

Questioning the source of the authority to send the arrested persons to custody, the bench directed the officials to make available the reports on the basis of which the order has been passed.

The petitioner had moved the High Court stating that 113 persons arrested during the riot have been illegally detained by the State and sought to produce them before the court.

CBI probe sought

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Mumbai has sought a CBI probe into the letters to the High Court Judge Justice K L Manjunath. With another letter landing up in the High Court, the Iskon Mumbai has sought an inquiry by an independent agency. In its submission, it has also requested to initiate contempt proceedings. The matter has been adjourned.