Advocates of Shivamogga write to CJI and HC Chief Justice opposing HC judge’s participation in programme to be presided over by former minister

A few advocates of Shivamogga Bar Association have objected to Justice V. Shrishananda of the High Court of Karnataka participating in a programme to be presided over by former minister K.S. Eshwarappa, against whom several criminal and civil cases are pending in various courts.

The advocates have written to the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, drawing their attention to the programme to be held at Kuvempu Rangamandira in Shivamogga on December 25.

Srigandha, a non-government organisation, and Shivamogga Bar Association have jointly organised a seminar. Justice V. Shrishananda will be delivering a lecture on ‘The judicial system in ancient India’. Former minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who is the president of Srigandha, will preside over the programme. His son K.E. Kantesh is among the special invitees for the programme. The organisers of the event have put up banners at many places in Shivamogga inviting people for the lecture.

The advocates, in their letters to the Chief Justice of India and Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, said that both K.S. Eshwarappa and K.E. Kantesh have been facing allegations of corruption, amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, making provocative statements, delivering hate speeches, and violating the election model of conduct. The cases filed against them are pending in various courts, including the Karnataka High Court. They have attached a list of cases along with the letter.

K.P. Sripal, one of the advocates who signed the letters, told The Hindu, “A High Court judge sharing a dais with people facing several cases is contrary to the principles of fair and impartial administration of justice. Such an event may cast undue influence on the cases pending against K.S. Eshwarappa and his son in subordinate courts. We have written to the CJI and High Court Chief Justice on this issue, and marked a copy to Justice V. Shrishananda.”

He wants the CJI and the High Court CJ to take suitable action with regard to the programme.