New judge for special court trying Jayalalithaa case

The Karnataka High Court has transferred John Michael Cunha, a district judge, as the Judge of the Special Court trying the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Mr. Cunha is at present is the Registrar (Vigilance), Karnataka High Court.

Now the State government will have to issue a formal notification under Section 3 of Prevention of Corruption Act designating him as Special Judge to try the case.

The post was vacant from September 30 following retirement of judge M.S Balakrishna and one G.B. Mudigoudar, Judge of the Special Court for Fake Stamps cases, was holding concurrent charges of this special court since then.

The Supreme Court in its September 30 order had asked the Karnataka High Court to consider extending the tenure of Mr. Balakrishna as trial of the case is at final stage.

However, Mr. Balakrishna, on his superannuation, had cited personal reasons not to continue as judge of the special court on contract basis.

Following this, the High Court on its administrative side has now posted Mr. Cunha to this post.