On the very day Rajya Sabha chairman and vice president Hamid Ansari was initiating the impeachment process against Karnataka high court chief justice P.D. Dinakaran by constituting a three-member committee of experts to probe the charges, the chief justice of India (CJI) K.G. Balakrishnan has said something rather strange.
In an interview with Bhupendra Chaubey of CNN-IBN, the CJI has indirectly questioned the timing of the charges levelled against Justice Dinakaran.
“I can say one thing: there was not a single allegation when he was a judge of the Madras High Court; there was not a single allegation when he became Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka in August 2008. Till his name was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium for elevation there was not a single allegation. Not a member of the bar raised any objection, nothing. All these allegations have been raised when his name was suggested to be elevated,” the CJI has said.
Questions: Is the CJI right? Does the timing of the charges indicate that Dinakaran is being targetted and vilified to block his elevation to the Supreme Court? Does the fact the charges have been made only now and not before absolve him? Or does it not? Should the impeachment process and the probe into the allegations go on regardless of the timing? Or should it be called off since the CJI has given him the benefit of the doubt?
Full coverage: The strange case of Justice P.D. Dinakaran
CHURUMURI POLL: Is Dalit Dinakaran above the law?
If he is unfit for Supreme Court, how is he fit for Karnataka HC?
If he is unfit for Supreme Court, how is he fit for Karnataka HC—II?
‘Integrity + competence + judicial temperament’
Yella not OK, but Supreme Court silent yaake?
The brazen conduct of Justice Dinakaran
The strange case of Justice Dinakaran (continued)
churumuri 
Balakrishnan is turning out to be not so good CJI, and his elevation to that post is proving to be a mistake. He is opposed to RTI being applied to him (What does he have to hide)? Brings in conspiracy theories in to matters which are plainly in the domains of ethics.
It is sad people take matters of ethical and moral nature into caste politics.
Especially when people sitting in Posts like CJI !!
LikeLike
Hmm… Why is the honourable CJI hesitating to disclose his assets all the while protecting J. Dinakaran?
LikeLike
The allegations were there, but the law of contempt of court prevents allegations being aired freely by concerned citizens. It is only when eminent jurists whose credentials are unimpeachable take up the matter can anything be done abt it.
In a long line of horrible CJIs that the Supreme Court and the country has had to suffer, he is the worst.
LikeLike
balakrishnan is one of the dumbest chief justices we have had. he has always lacked the intellectual stature — and the charisma — to lead india’s judiciary. but now, post-dinakaran, it seems he also lacks the integrity.
LikeLike
Truth cannot be digested easily. There may be many reasons for not bringing a SINGLE allegation. But that doesn’t mean that it should not be rasied forever. Npbpdy is against that somebody being elevated to a higher position. But trying to find fault with the persons who have brought forth some questions cannot be viewed as a positive step…..
LikeLike
perhaps the CJI wants to say that since justice has been delayed it should be denied….
LikeLike
For the sake of justice and fairness, we all need to ignore the fact that Balakrishnan is a fellow dalit. However what is notable is that this person, who is the senior most Indian, legal professional in power, is equally corrupt and despite sustained public demand, refuses to accept the RTI act or disclose his illegal assets!
The irony about the entire Dinakaran episode is that even after unprecedented impeachment proceedings in the Indian Parliament, this country has to bear the shameless, irresponsible and absolutely condemnable attitude of these so-called custodians of the Judiciary!
l’affaire P.D. Dinakaran has been very well documented with various protests, petitions and exposures in the media, apart from extremely strong comments by renowned legal luminaries such as Fali S. Nariman, Shanti Bhushan and Ram Jethmalani. Sadly all have been ignored by both these thick-skinned CJs and their cronies.
The brazen exploits of these CJs is so open that while swiftly disposing off a record no of 72,795 cases with massive kick-backs, Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran exhibited great pomp and grandeur too. Crooke’s in legal robes need recognition and status too. Perhaps the reason why even the number plate of his official car in Bangalore (KA-03-GA-5767) was done up in red background with gold embossed letters! A special status that is permitted under the motor vehicles rules only for the President of India and State Governors. Even the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India cannot use such a number plate! (Mid-Day dated 29.06.2009).
Incidentally, while still a CJ in Karnataka, enjoying all the perks, the skeletons in Dinakaran’s doomed cupboard keep tumbling out regularly with the latest allegations that he managed to grab extremely valuable immovable properties while disposing the case of Binny Ltd. a BIFR company. Thanks to the ‘Chief Justice’ approximately 70 acres was sold to SSI Ltd. for just Rs 66 crore while the guideline value was almost Rs 180 crore and the actual market value was even higher!
While the poor villagers (almost all are fellow dalit’s!) are still protesting and begging for their land to be restored back from Dinakaran’s bouncers, the illegal fencing covering more than 440 acres in Kaverirajapuram Village remains intact to this day.
From the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court to the chief justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan, India has never had such corrupt nincompoop’s in power and continuing to decide on 100s of legal cases and screwing the lives of 1000s of poor citizens seeking elusive justice!
l’affaire P.D. Dinakaran has been a absolute shame on India. And now the l’affaire Balakrishnan appears to be the second chapter in an ever-growing sequel.
LikeLike
honourable ಬೇವಿನಕಾಯಿಗೆ honourable ಹಾಗಲಕಾಯಿ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ ಅಂತ ಕರೆಯಬಹುದೇ?
ಕಿಲ ಕಿಲಾ…
LikeLike
How can CJI K.G. Balakrishnan say on one hand that he will not comment on Dinakaran because of the impeachment finally proceeding ahead while on the other hand he is still supporting the CJ of Karnataka?
Alas, this is India! Hey Ram!
LikeLike
“One Dalit salvaging a fellow Dalit”..As simple as that. Mayawati did the same.No wonder. What can you expect our SC reservation/quota CJI to do, he can never provide justice to ppl, he never respects good bills like RTI. So he is taking an obvious way.
LikeLike
Maybe KG is fearing that Dinakaran might expose him in return !
LikeLike
First things first, there is no reservation in the judiciary.
Even in corruption, there seems to be a casteist monopoly in this country. Let there be a whisper of a suspicion against a dalit, the people of this country react as if the worst crime has been committed in history since man started inhabiting the earth. Even our vigilant media has not dug up any evidence against the former CJI, but they are yelling for his blood.
According to estimates, if the wealth of the country stashed away in foreign banks is to be distributed to every people in this country, each would get Rs. 75,000. Do you suppose the dalits have stashed away all that wealth?
LikeLike
K G Bakrishnan affair is evidence that caste prejudices is definitely not a thing of the past in this country. If there is one enlightened person who advocates that everybody is equal, there are hundreds of others who are waiting for an opportunity to turn the country back to 100 years.
A recently elected panchayat president in Kerala, the most literate state, performed purification ceremony before taking office because a dalit had occupied the seat earlier. For people who think casteism is a thing of the past, they are sadly mistaken.
When he was in office and when he was elevated to the post of the office of the chief justice, nobody said that Mr. Balakrishnan was dumb or a nincompoop. I suppose it is assumed that he lacked the intellectual status and charisma just because of his caste certificate. There are many in this country, especially from his own state Kerala, who are anxious how far he will be allowed to go
Land grab and demanding 10 or 15 percent as graft, this is a normal and accepted part of the system of this country. Nobody sees anything amiss in this except when the wrong person indulges in it or is alleged to indulge in it.
LikeLike
The nation is privileged to add K.G. Balakrishnan to the club of proven corrupt CJI of India. We hope Shanti Bhushan will amend his petition before it comes for final hearing and disposal in Apex Court. Responses to “CHURUMURI POLL: Is CJI right about Dinakaran?” are holding mirror towards the corruption in the highest Judiciary of the country.
LikeLike