Karnataka judge says he was threatened with transfer for remarks against ACB official
India Today
A Karnataka judge said he was threatened with transfer for remarks against an ACB official in a bribery case.
Karnataka High Court Justice HP Sandesh said he was indirectly threatened with transfer for his remark against the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Justice Sandesh had made an observation about the ACB's functioning in a case that allegedly involved an IAS officer.
Two staff members of Bengaluru City Deputy Commissioner's office were arrested for receiving a bribe of Rs 5 lakh in exchange for a favourable order in a land dispute. The court had taken objections as to how senior officers were being protected in the case.
Justice Sandesh had said the ACB had become a "collection centre" and the ADGP of the ACB a tainted officer.
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"Your ACB ADGP seems to be a powerful person. Somebody has told this [transfer] to my colleague. I have been informed about it by a judge. The threat of transfer will be recorded in the order," the judge said.
"I don't fear anyone. I won't compromise independence of judiciary at the cost of my judgeship. This should not happen. I don't care if I lose the position. Your job is to protect institutions and not to do this. It's public money. I've no personal interests and I've not made money. I sold 4 acres of my father's land after I became a judge," he added.
