Dinkaran issue: jurists suggest probe by Karnataka Lokayukta

Against the backdrop of corruption allegations against Karnataka High Court Chief Justice D P Dinkaran, two eminent jurists on Friday said suggested the government order a probe by the Karnataka Lokayukta (anti-corruption watchdog).

Against the backdrop of corruption allegations against Karnataka High Court Chief Justice D P Dinkaran, two eminent jurists on Friday said suggested the government order a probe by the Karnataka Lokayukta (anti-corruption watchdog).

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Former law minister Shanti Bhushan and constitutional expert Anil Diwan, who met Law Minister M Veerappa Moily to present their “point of view”, said the “other alternative” would be to ask in writing from Supreme Court judges Markanday Katju and A K Ganguli about Dinkaran’s integrity as the two had been chief justices of the Madras High Court.

Dinkaran had worked under Katju and Ganguli.

“Why were the two not consulted by the collegium before recommending his name...the collegium or the government will have to consult Justice Katju and Justice Mukherjee. The appointment cannot take place without consulting them or writ can be filed as a nine-judge bench (in one of its decisions) had recommended consultations,” Bhushan told reporters.

Diwan said Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde (a former Supreme Court judge) has all the “machinery in place to probe the integrity and reputation of Dinkar. He is a judge of repute and can carry out the probe...that is one way things can be looked up”.

Diwan said since the public was aware of the issue, a probe by a reputed person would be appropriate and Dinkaran should be given “proper opportunity”.