Karnataka High Court order on politicos leads to uproar

Bengaluru: The circular of the Karnataka High Court, directing judicial officers not to share the dais with legislators created an uproar in Legislative Assembly on Friday too, with members demanding that the High Court Registrar be summoned to the House for an explanation.

Cutting across party lines, the members vent their ire on the judiciary and wanted to know if judicial officers were as honest as they talk. Some of the members wanted the Law Minister to boycott the functions pertaining to inauguration of court buildings, as local legislators were prohibited from sharing the dais.

Though Law and Parliamentary Minister Mr T B Jayachandra tried to pacify the House and suggested that the issue be resolved without a conflict between two institutions, the members contended that such circulars breached the privilege of the House. The issue was raised by JD(S) floor leader Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy during his speech on the Governor's address. He wanted to know the definition of ‘criminal background' and cited the examples of former Chief Minister Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa and former KPSC Chairman Dr H. Krishna.

“Soon after cases were filed against them, the two were sent to jail for 27 days and 51 days respectively. Now, Mr Yeddyurappa has been discharged in all the cases. What is the chargesheet filed against Dr Krishna? Now, who will take responsibility for both spending days in jail? The courts should think about that also. Today, if any section is still working with moral responsibility, it is the political class,” he said.

JD(S) member Mr YSV Datta charged that judicial officers behave as if all of them were ‘Sathya Harishchandras'. “Who is to decide whether all the judges are honest? That has to be decided first,” he said.

BJP member Mr C.T. Ravi said that the circular had breached the privilege of the House and shamed everyone. He urged the Speaker to summon the High Court Registrar and seek an explanation as to how such a circular could be issued. “Not all against whom cases are filed are criminals. There are cases against me also and I am not a criminal,'' he said.

Mr N Cheluvarayaswamy said legislators were not from the footpath to be treated like this. The Law Minister should boycott all functions of the judiciary, he said. With members from all political parties venting their ire against the judiciary, Mr Jayachandra said he had met the Chief Justice on Thursday evening and raised the issue.