By MK Ashoka
Bangalore, July 17 (IANS): Karnataka is witnessing a flurry of positive developments, thanks to High Court Judge, Justice HP Sandesh, who exposed the “link” between the ruling government and the bureaucracy.
“I am the son of a farmer. I will return to agriculture, I do not need to stick to this work”, he announced in open court while attacking the ruling BJP and Karnataka Police Department for their inaction in major cases. of corruption.
Judge Sandesh’s observations have forced the ruling BJP government, mired in calculations for the next Assembly elections less than 10 months away in the state, to act.
The state witnessed the arrest of the senior serving IPS officer, ADGP Amrit Paul and the serving IAS officer, former Bengaluru Urban DC J. Manjunath. The arrest of a serving IPS officer of the rank of ADGP was made for the first time in history, causing serious embarrassment to the State Police Department.
The authorities had turned a blind eye to the alleged involvement of senior officials. Although fingers and evidence pointed to Amrit Paul’s clear role in the Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment scandal, the state government had washed its hands of transferring him.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which is investigating the scandal, did not appear to take any action against the senior IPS officer. On the other hand, although the arrested accused said he received a bribe on the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District, the officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) were hesitant to name him in the FIR.
Judge Sandesh hit the investigative agency which first made DC Manjunath the 4th defendant followed by his arrest. Both developments brought statewide acknowledgment to judicial activism. Ordinary people, progressive thinkers hailed Justice Sandesh’s bold statements. Even the ruling BJP leaders have informally expressed agreement with what Justice Sandesh pointed out.
Dr. BP Mahesh Chandra Guru, former professor, dean and activist, in an interview with IANS, said that democracy survives in the country mainly through judicial activism and accountability.
“It is through the creative and active role of the judiciary that democracy is intact. Progressive thinkers and ordinary people should join the judiciary in protecting the constitution and the democratic system,” he reiterated.
“The activism of the judiciary has brought immense happiness. The statements of Supreme Court Chief Justice NV Ramana and High Court Justice Sandesh were made after careful consideration of existing situations and in a timely manner,” said he declared. CJI Ramana observed that the judiciary is only responsible for the constitution.
Mahesh Chandra Guru states that for many years money and caste power have visibly dominated the political scenario. Public administration is at a crossroads, politicians are not accountable to the judiciary. “Since the two-engine government took power in the state and in the center, public order has been disrupted,” he explained.
Judge Sandesh had said in open court that he was ready to be transferred. “I’m ready for the good of the people. I’m not afraid of anyone. I’m ready to ring the cat. I didn’t do anything after I became a judge. I don’t care if I lose the job of judge. I’m the son of a farmer. I am ready to cultivate the land. I do not belong to any political party. I do not adhere to any political ideology”, he remarked in open session.
“Are you protecting the public or the defiled? The black cloak is not for the protection of the corrupt. Corruption has become a cancer and it should not reach the 4th stage. What to do when the fence devours the crop? Judge Sandesh questioned.
Commenting on the police sub-inspector recruitment scandal, Justice Sandesh said the crime was more heinous than murder and equated it with terrorism. “In case of murder, a person dies. Here, 50,000 candidates are put in difficulty. If all recruitments are done the same way, do you want the court to be silent?
He further stated that the PSI recruitment scandal is unleashed terrorism on society. Society and ordinary people welcome judicial activism and extend their support. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to seek an investigation into the transfer threat from Judge Sandesh of the Karnataka High Court and seek security blanket.
