Humiliated, says Madras HC judge
November 4, 2011
DC
chennai
The Madras high court has been rocked by a judge alleging that "four
or five" of his 'brother and sister judges' committed "atrocities"
against him because he is a dalit. The dalit lawyer fraternity is
getting seriously agitated over this.
Justice C. S. Karnan convened a press conference—a very unusual
practice for senior judiciary—on Thursday to proclaim his serious
charges albeit without naming the 'offending' judges and said he was
willing to face 'open enquiry' to prove himself.
"One judge seated next to me at a marriage function crossed his leg
deliberately touching mine and the same judge at the Republic Day
celebration slyly removed my name slip attached to the chair (among
the invitees) and stuck it to the bottom of his right leg where it got
crumpled", Justice Karnan said, adding ominously, "And two other
judges laughed (at the Republic Day incident)".
He said he was being humiliated since April 2009 and had chosen to
remain silent "to maintain the decorum of the high court". However, he
has now come out with his complaint to the National Commission for
SC/ST "because I have self-respect and cannot tolerate the humiliation
anymore".
When a reporter pointed out that none among many other Dalit judges in
the high court had made such a complaint of humiliation and
discrimination, Justice Karnan shot back, "I am a person maintaining
self-respect, so I am facing difficulties….It is a black mark in the
Indian judicial system after independence".
"I have eyewitnesses, circumstantial evidence, documents and materials
to prove my charges", the judge told reporters in his chamber. He
appealed to the lawyers and the public to exercise restraint "till I
prove my charges".
When it was pointed out that there were allegations of corruption
against him and he was using the Dalit card only as a 'diversionary
tactic', Justice Karnan said, "It's a false allegation. I am prepared
to face an open enquiry".
Asked why he had chosen to complain to the SC commission instead of
taking it up with the chief justice of the Madras high court, he said,
"The SC/ST commission is the watchdog for us (Dalits). The commission
is an independent body functioning under President of India and its
chairman is a proper and competent person to address my grievance.
There is no need to give the complaint to the chief justice".
Justice Karnan said the chief justice was also present during the
"chain of occurrences" when other judges humiliated him during
high-tea, lunch, dinner, full-court meetings. "I presume that the
chief justice did not understand the noticeable body language (of the
offending judges) because he is from another state", he said.
The serious charges made by Justice Karnan caused consternation among
some dalit lawyers, who met chief justice M.Y. Eqbal on Wednesday and
wanted action against the 'offending' judges. They also wanted him to
restore the bail portfolio to Justice Karnan.
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