Advocates from the Shivamogga Bar Association have written to the CJI and the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice opposing a High Court judge’s participation in a programme presided over by former minister K.S. Eshwarappa. They said such participation may affect public confidence in judicial impartiality as cases against the former minister are pending in courts.
A group of advocates from the Shivamogga Bar Association have raised objections to the participation of Justice V. Shrishananda of the High Court of Karnataka in a public programme that is to be presided over by former Karnataka minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who is facing several criminal and civil cases in different courts.
The advocates have written separate letters to the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, bringing to their notice the proposed event scheduled to be held on December 25 at Kuvempu Rangamandira in Shivamogga. Copies of the letters have also been marked to Justice V. Shrishananda.
The programme is being jointly organised by Srigandha, a non-government organisation, and the Shivamogga Bar Association. As per the event details, Justice V. Shrishananda is expected to deliver a lecture on the topic ‘The judicial system in ancient India’.
Former minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who is also the president of Srigandha, is listed as the presiding officer for the programme. His son, K.E. Kantesh, has been named as one of the special invitees. The organisers have reportedly put up banners across Shivamogga inviting the public to attend the lecture.
In their letters, the advocates have stated that both K.S. Eshwarappa and his son K.E. Kantesh are facing multiple allegations, including corruption, possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, making provocative statements, delivering hate speeches, and violations of the election model code of conduct.
The advocates have pointed out that several cases against them are pending before various courts, including the Karnataka High Court. Along with their letters, the advocates have also enclosed a detailed list of the cases filed against the two.
K.P. Sripal, one of the advocates who signed the letters, explained the reason for raising the objection. He told The Hindu,
“A High Court judge sharing a dais with people facing several cases is contrary to the principles of fair and impartial administration of justice. Such an event may cast undue influence on the cases pending against K.S. Eshwarappa and his son in subordinate courts. We have written to the CJI and High Court Chief Justice on this issue, and marked a copy to Justice V. Shrishananda.”
The advocates have urged the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court to take appropriate and suitable action regarding the participation of the High Court judge in the proposed programme, keeping in mind the independence of the judiciary and public confidence in the justice delivery system.
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