Bangalore, Oct 15 (DHNS): Former Attorney General of India Soli J Sorabjee said that Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran should not attend court proceedings until he emerges clear from the allegations of land acquisition.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of at an event hosted by the National Law School of India University on Wednesday, Sorabjee said: “The Supreme Court itself has ordered for an inquiry and the report has arrived. Justice P D Dinakaran should not be a Justice voluntarily and desist from sitting in the court,”
He said, “The real strength of the judiciary is public confidence and if it is diluted or shattered, then the institution’s credibility will also be at stake,” he opined.
He felt that the Supreme Court collegium should have decided on the matter before the re-opening of the Court.
Responding to a question on caste being introduced, Sorabjee came out strongly saying “It is unfortunate that caste was brought into this issue without considering the integrity existing in the judiciary. To raise the question of caste itself is not correct. The Chief Justice of India himself belongs to ST community, but he never mentioned caste.”
Sorabjee was also of the opinion that the allegation against Justice PD Dinakaran would not affect the image of the judiciary “as the allegations were not in discharging of judicial functions. Please do not, just for one instance, come to the conclusion that corruption is there in the judiciary”, he advised.
He supported the voluntary disclosure of assets by judges saying that there should not be anything to hide in the present atmosphere.
Portrait unveiled
Sorabjee unveiled a portrait of Nani Phalkivala at NLSIU campus and delivered a lecture on Sanction, Prosecution of public servants and rule of law.
When asked about the granting of prosecution powers to the Lokayukta, Sorabjee in a lighter vein commented, “The Lokayukta is already doing so much work without any powers. If the powers are sanctioned, a lot of officials are going to be prosecuted and I don’t think the Government will take that risk!”