English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Those who took decision on transfer must answer how it was done: Karnataka HC judge Patel after resignation

Published

9 years ago

on

Karnataka High Court

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Justice Jayant Patel had resigned after learning that he was being transferred to Allahabad HC where he would have been third in queue for chief justice post

Justice Jayant Patel of the Karnataka High Court, who famously ordered a CBI enquiry into the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case while he was a judge in the Gujarat high court, had sent in his resignation letter to Karnataka’s Chief Justice SK Mukherjee, on Monday. Justice Patel’s decision to quit – 10 months before he was set to retire –had come after he learned that he was being transferred to the Allahabad High Court, a move that would have ensured that he isn’t promoted to the rank of Chief Justice in Karnataka – or Allahabad for that matter.

While his resignation has created a flutter in the legal community of Karnataka, sent ripples across India’s judiciary and reignited the debate on the lack of transparency in the manner in which judges are appointed, transferred or elevated, all that Justice Patel has to say on the chain of events he has triggered is that those who took the decision on his transfer “must answer” on how this was done.

Had Justice Patel not been transferred to the Allahabad High Court he would have, by convention, been elevated to the rank of Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. Incumbent Karnataka Chief Justice Mukherjee is set to retire on October 9, and Justice Patel was the next senior-most judge in the court. However, had he moved to the Allahabad High Court, Justice Patel would have been the third seniormost and with just 10 months left for his retirement, he would have effectively been out of the race for a promotion.

In an interview to the Indian Express, Justice Patel declined to attribute motives to the Supreme Court collegiums for deciding to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court and robbing him of his elevation but said: “Those who have taken decisions must answer how it was done. I cannot say anything”.

The judge, who enjoys support and respect across bar associations of Gujarat – where he had briefly been elevated as Acting Chief Justice before being transferred to the southern state as a regular judge – and Karnataka refused to link the denial of his confirmation as Chief Justice to his landmark decision of ordering a CBI probe in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case in 2011.

“When I became aware about my contemplated transfer to the Allahabad High Court, I decided to resign. I have already sent my resignation to the President of India. From yesterday, I am relieved of responsibilities. How it happened and what happened is for you to consider,” the Indian Express quoted Justice Patel as saying.

“I had no desire to be shifted to Allahabad. I have worked with dignity for 16 years as a judge, and for (the remaining) ten months why should I go to another place,” Justice Patel added.

Clearly anguished over being forced to resign and being denied what many feel was his rightful due, Justice Patel said: “What I feel is that I did my duty as per the oath of my office. Punishment is ultimately in God’s hands. One thing I can say is that wherever I worked, it has been with all sincerity and strictly as per my oath of office.”

Asked specifically if he would have been elevated had he not ordered the CBI probe in the Ishrat Jahan encounter – a case that had pointed fingers at the then Gujarat chief minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then minister of state for home in Gujarat, Amit Shah, who is now the BJP national president – Justice Patel said: “Everyday we take decisions. We do not look at whether the case is about X or Y and we cannot decide a matter like that. We do not see the name of the party and decide the course. This is what is expected of us. I don’t think this could be the reason (for my transfer) but I cannot answer as the decisions were taken by someone else.’’

Senior Supreme Court advocates Dushyant Dave and Yatin Oza have both indicated that Justice Patel was denied the Chief Justice’s rank on account of his decision to order a CBI probe into the Ishrat Jahan case.

Advocates who met him after news of his resignation broke on Tuesday in an effort to get him to reconsider his decision said that Jutice Patel had conveyed that matters were beyond reconsideration.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Amit Shah praises Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, says Nation above post

Amit Shah hailed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister, saying BJP places the nation and students above any position while highlighting the government’s commitment to examination reforms.

Published

12 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

By

Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Dharmendra Pradhan’s decision to step down as Union Education Minister, saying the move reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to placing the nation and students above any political position.

In a post on X, Shah said that for BJP workers, the country, its youth and students are more important than any office. He described Pradhan’s resignation as an example of the party’s guiding principle of prioritising national interest over personal ambition.

Shah highlights government’s focus on exam reforms

Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and remains committed to strengthening the examination system following concerns over alleged paper leaks.

He said the Centre has introduced strict measures to ensure severe punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks and expressed confidence that these steps would deliver justice to students who cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Praises Pradhan’s work as Education Minister

Recalling Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure, Shah highlighted several initiatives undertaken during his time in the Education Ministry. He credited Pradhan with helping implement the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding PM SHRI schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development and improving coordination between industry and academic institutions.

Shah also said Pradhan worked towards making examinations more inclusive and student-centric, adding that his tenure reflected his commitment to the vision of a developed India.

Resignation follows NEET controversy

Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and growing demands for accountability.

The resignation has triggered political reactions across party lines. While opposition parties have described the development as a result of sustained student protests, BJP leaders have projected it as an example of accountability and commitment to national interest.

Continue Reading

India News

Assam flood death toll rises to 66, over 6.5 lakh people still affected

Assam’s flood situation improved slightly on Saturday, but more than 6.54 lakh people remain affected in six districts. Four fresh deaths have pushed the state’s flood toll to 66.

Published

12 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

By

Assam floods

The flood situation in Assam showed marginal improvement on Saturday, though the disaster continued to impact more than 6.54 lakh people across six districts. Four more deaths were reported during the day, taking the total number of fatalities in this year’s floods to 66.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), three of the latest deaths were reported from Sivasagar district, while one person lost their life in Charaideo.

The number of affected people declined from over 7.05 lakh across nine districts on Friday to 6,54,800 across six districts on Saturday, indicating a gradual improvement in the overall situation.

Sivasagar remains the worst-hit district

Among the affected districts, Sivasagar continues to be the worst hit, with nearly 2.9 lakh people impacted by the floods. Charaideo follows with around 1.9 lakh affected residents, while more than 1.3 lakh people remain affected in Jorhat.

The other districts still facing flood-related challenges are Dibrugarh, Golaghat and Nagaon.

Relief operations continue across affected areas

The ASDMA said the state administration is operating 274 relief camps and aid distribution centres across the affected districts. Around 18,902 displaced people are currently taking shelter at these facilities.

The latest daily bulletin also stated that floodwaters have inundated 810 villages across the state, while 34,970.8 hectares of agricultural land have suffered damage.

Rivers flowing above danger level

The floods have also damaged embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in several areas.

Authorities said the Dikhou River in Sivasagar and the Dhansiri River at Numaligarh are flowing above the danger level, and officials continue to closely monitor the situation.

Continue Reading

India News

UP Government forms new SIT led by 3 IPS officers to probe Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft

The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a new SIT led by three IPS officers to investigate the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case in Ayodhya following Supreme Court directions.

Published

13 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

By

Ram Mandir

The Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IG Kiran S, with DIG Somen Verma and SSP Dr Gaurav Grover as members, to investigate the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

The move comes after directions from the Supreme Court, which sought a reconstituted investigation team to ensure an independent and comprehensive probe into the allegations.

The newly formed SIT is expected to continue the investigation and submit a status report before the Supreme Court on July 27.

Senior IPS officers to lead the probe

According to the state government, the investigation will now be supervised by senior IPS officers.  The revamped SIT has been tasked with examining all aspects of the alleged embezzlement of temple donations and carrying the investigation forward.

The Supreme Court had observed that criminal investigations and technical examination of theft-related cases are more effectively handled by experienced police officers, leading to the reconstitution of the SIT under senior IPS leadership.

Probe to continue under court supervision

The case relates to the alleged embezzlement of offerings (chadhava) donated by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

The Supreme Court is monitoring the investigation and will review the SIT’s status report at the next hearing.

Authorities are expected to continue examining evidence collected during the earlier stages of the investigation as the newly constituted SIT proceeds with the case.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com