Justice P.D. Dinakaran was sworn in the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court here on Monday by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Ashirwad Bhavan in the Raj Bhavan complex here. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues were present at the function. The ceremony was boycotted by two bar associations.
Proceedings for his removal is pending before a parliamentary panel headed by Justice V.S. Sirpurkar. Justice Dinakaran faces allegations of land grabbing and other charges. He was transferred from Karnataka.
Members of both the Bar Association of Sikkim and the High Court of Sikkim Bar Association boycotted the ceremony in protest against the manner in which the Supreme Court collegium and the Union government had effected the transfer of Justice Dinakaran. The associations said the boycott was not against Justice Dinakaran assuming office, but “against the manner and circumstances of his transfer which undermine the judiciary in Sikkim and, in particular, the institution of High Court of Sikkim.”
Asked about the boycott, Justice Dinakaran said: “There are so many things said about me, but they are all lies, I have seen similar situations before. As the new Chief Justice, my top priority will be to serve the people of Sikkim and ensure that justice is delivered to all.”
