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Synopsis

Justice HP Sandesh, judge, Karnataka High Court, on Monday alleged that he was threatened with transfer for questioning the additional director general of police (ADGP) of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The above remark was made when the judge was hearing the bail petition of former Bengaluru Urban tehsildar Mahesh PS. According to Indian Express, the Tehsildar was reportedly caught while accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh in May 2021. It is to be noted that Mahesh had submitted a statement claiming that he received the bribe on the instruction of the then Bengaluru Urban DC J Manjunath.

Earlier, the judge had pulled up the ACB for not providing the record pertaining to the appointment of another accused named Chetan. On the last date of hearing, the court had criticised the ACB, terming it a ‘centre of corruption’.  According to reports, the court had recorded the ACB’s counsel’s undertaking that he would produce documents pertaining to the investigation.

Yesterday, the counsel informed the court that he could not produce the documents. Angered by this, the judge remarked in the open court that he was informed by a fellow judge that he could be transferred as the ADGP was not happy with his remarks.

Justice Sandesh said, “Your ACB ADGP seems to be a powerful person. I was told by my fellow judge that I could be transferred for the remarks. I will record the threat of transfer in the order.” He said that this is a threat to the independence of judiciary and a threat made to the court.

The judge further pulled up the ACB and the advocate appearing for it, by noting that he was not afraid of losing his judgeship. Justice Sandesh, further said that he does not fear anyone. He said that he is the son of a farmer and ready to for anything. Justice Sandesh remarked he is not affiliated to any political party or ideology. He said that he owes allegiance only to the Constitution and has not accumulated any property after becoming a judge but has, on the contrary, sold 4 acres that his father had.

Criticising the advocate, Justice Sandesh asked if he was protecting the public or tainted persons and informed him that the law is a noble profession. He remarked, “The black coat is not for the protection of the corrupt. Corruption has become cancer and it should not reach the fourth stage. The officers are being extorted after threatening them with search warrants.”