The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Petition naming Chief Justice as a party admitted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Petition naming Chief Justice as a party admitted

Staff Reporter

It was filed by a former employee of the High Court challenging his dismissal from service

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday admitted a petition by Sippe Gowda, a former employee of the High Court and former president of the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association, challenging his dismissal from service.

Nauvdeep Kumar Sodhi, during his tenure as Chief Justice of the High Court, dismissed Mr. Sippe Gowda for dereliction of duty.

In his petition, Mr. Sippe Gowda challenged his dismissal and named the Registrar-General of the High Court, the Chief Justice and the Registrar-Judicial as respondents.

The High Court had decided to first take up the issue of whether the Chief Justice should be made a party in the petition, and who should represent him during the court proceedings.

On Monday last, Justice N. Kumar ruled that the Chief Justice of a High Court could be made a party in a petition.

But, as he holds a high and dignified office, he need not personally appear before the court, the judge said.

The Chief Justice could defend his action as a disciplinary authority through the Registrar of the High Court, who implemented his orders, Justice Kumar said.

If mala fide was alleged against the Chief Justice, he could file an affidavit against allegations made in the petition, the judge said.

The matter came up before Justice Kumar on Friday, and he admitted the petition and adjourned hearing.

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