HC quashes PIL seeking norms on entry to judges' houses

The High Court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking directions to lodge a complaint against Umrah Developers and to frame guidelines to regulate the entry of visitors to the houses of High Court and lower court judges. 

The PIL was filed following the disclosure of the Chief Justice of Karnataka, Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee about a Bengali-speaking person visiting him at his official residence offering a bribe to favour an order in a revised petition filed by Umrah Developers.  The petitioner, advocate GR Mohan, had sought the PIL to be heard by another division bench other than the Chief Justice. However the PIL was heard before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath.

Expressing displeasure while hearing the PIL, Justice Mukherjee asked Justice Malimath to hear the PIL and pass orders. Justice Malimath passed the order stating that there was no material on record to substantiate the contentions of the petitioner and seeking directions to frame guidelines for visitors entry into judges’ homes is wholly uncalled for and not necessary.  The bench said, “The judges of the superior court are well within the capacity to deal with such matters.”