The three-member probe panel headed by Supreme Court Judge Aftab Alam on Saturday adjourned the proceedings relating to the removal of Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran, who resigned on Friday.
When the panel met in the morning, counsel for Justice Dinakaran was not present and in the absence of an official communication on the resignation of Justice Dinakaran, it was decided to adjourn the sitting.
The removal proceedings, initiated under the Judges Inquiry Act pursuant to a motion admitted in the Rajya Sabha, will become infructuous once the President accepts Justice Dinakaran's resignation. The probe panel will then formally write to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari to close the proceedings.
It was the advice of senior lawyers Amarendra Saran and Ashok Bhan, appearing for Justice Dinakaran, that he should put in his papers. In his resignation letter Justice Dinakaran expressed apprehension that he might not get justice. The letter says: “...it is also obvious that hearing before the committee is just an empty formality. Hence, I have lost confidence of getting fair hearing and justice even before the reconstituted committee. In the above factual background I am unable to repose any faith and confidence in the committee and in the procedure being adopted by them. I am, therefore, of the firm view that there would not be any gainful purpose in appearing for the committee in spite of my innocence.”
