The Hindu : Karnataka News : Protest continues against suspension of D' Costa

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Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011
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Karnataka

Protest continues against suspension of D' Costa

Special Correspondent

‘Citizens have been compelled to gather for the cause of judicial system'

PANAJI: Concerned Citizens Initiative has demanded full transparency and observance of the principles of natural justice and due process of law in matters of judicial administration and disciplinary action.

This was one of the three resolutions passed unanimously at the end of a well-attended public meeting convened by Concerned Citizens' Initiative here on Monday to protest against the suspension of Additional District Judge Desmond D' Costa last week and latest show-cause notice to Additional Sessions judge Anuja Prabhudesai who was suspended and subsequently reinstated.

In Margao in south Goa and in some parts of the State, boycott of courts by advocates under the banner of South Goa Advocates' Association (SGAA) continued on Monday in protest against judge's suspension.

“This mass public meeting of Concerned Citizens having discussed the suspension of District Judge D'Costa and the show-cause notice to judge Prabhudessai seeking explanation in view of the exoneration report by the Enquiry Officer is of the collective view that the judicial decisions in the matter of suspension of these judges are questionable,” said the second resolution.

“The meeting affirms the faith in the integrity of judges D' Costa and Ms. Dessai and expresses solidarity with them,” the resolution said.

By third resolution, the meeting demanded immediate withdrawal of suspension and called for immediate halt to victimisation of honest and upright judges.

The resolutions were moved by senior trade union leader Christopher Fonseca, Convenor of the Concerned Citizens' Initiative.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar, former Goa Law Minister Kashinath Jhalmi and many prominent citizens from different walks of life were present.

Speakers

The speakers comprised senior lawyers, activists, former senior bureaucrats, professors, student leaders and others expressed solidarity with the judges in crisis.

Mr. Fonseca said the meeting was meant to uphold the dignity of the judiciary and reinforce the confidence of the people in judiciary. Advocate Satish Sonak, convenor of Goan People's Forum, former MLA and advocate Radharao Gracias, senior advocate Saresh Lotlikar, former Chief Secretary J.C. Almeida, writer Dilip Borkar, social activist Aires Rodrigues, artist Subodh Kerkar, Goa Bachav Andolan activist Oscar Rebello, and president of SGAA Anacleto Viegas spoke.

Many speakers pointed out that it is in the first time in Goa that citizens had been compelled to gather in the cause of the legal and judicial system.

Collective action

Mr. Fonseca said this meeting was a movement for people's collective action for struggle and dialogue against wrong actions against judges of integrity.

Senior lawyer Saresh Lotlikar expressed concern over alleged singling out of honest judges and shooting them down.

He warned that this situation prevailed because of complete lack of communication between Mumbai judges and Goan judges and feared destruction of Goan judiciary in the bargain.

Goa comes under the jurisdiction of Bombay High Court.

Vouching the integrity and fairness of the judges, Mr. Almeida wondered if there was some pernicious move to eliminate such good judges from being part of the panel for consideration of higher post.

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