It is my responsibility to strengthen judiciary the way it serves people better, says Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru
'As Chief Justice, I view it as my responsibility not only to protect the independence of the judiciary but also to strengthen the institution the way it serves the people better, to reduce delay, and to enhance access to embrace technology without losing the human touch, to ensure that our courts are safe, includes spaces for all, specially marginalised...,' he said in his response to the customary welcome offered to him by the Full Court of the Karnataka High Court and the Karnataka State Bar Council.
Earlier, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office to Chief Justice Bakhru at a ceremony held at the Glass House of the Raj Bhavan, which was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti.
Allegiance to Constitution
Stating that the judges' sworn allegiance is to the Constitution of India, Chief Justice Bakhru said that the Constitution and the freedom that it guarantees would not be sustainable if the institutions, on which it rests, are weak. 'It is your faith in this institution that sustains it. It's our job to ensure that this faith is not misplaced,' he said.
Ideals of visionary Basvananna remind us that justice must transcend privilege and reach every corner of society, the Chief Justice said while pointing out that Basavanna taught about a just society grounded in dignity, equity, and moral courage.
'While we take inspiration from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, whose commitment to social justice and constitutional values remains our guiding light, in Sir M. Visvesvaraiah, we were reminded that public service, whether in engineering, governance, and law, demands discipline, excellence, and integrity,' Chief Justice Bakhru said.
Born in Nagpur in 1966, Chief Justice Bakhru had his education in Delhi where he secured BCom, Chartered Accountancy, and LL.B degrees and enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1990. After extensive practice in law, he was elevated as an additional judge of the High Court of Delhi on April 17, 2013, and as a permanent judge on March 18, 2015. He had served as acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi between December 5, 2024 and January 21, 2025.
Transferred judges
Meanwhile, Justice Jayant Banerji, who was serving as a judge of the Allahabad High Court since September 22, 2017, took oath as a judge of the High Court of Karnataka on his transfer from Allahabad. Also, Justice D.K. Singh took oath as a judge of the High Court of Karnataka, on his transfer from Kerala.
After the oath-taking and welcoming ceremonies, the High Court of Karnataka on Saturday bid a farewell to Justice V. Kameswar Rao, who has been repatriated to the High Court of Delhi. He had served as acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka from May 30 to July 18.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Devendra Fadnavis: BJP wants to contest civic polls under Mahayuti alliance
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the BJP wants to contest the local body polls under Mahayuti alliance with its partners Shiv Sena and NCP but in seats where it is not possible, the allies 'should not work against each other'. Fadnavis was speaking to mediapersons in Wardha after a meeting with BJP office-bearers and local leaders to assess the preparations for civic polls, which is expected to be held later this year. 'The BJP wants to contest the local body elections with alliance partners (Shiv Sena and NCP) under Mahayuti banner. Wherever this is not possible for local reasons we will have a friendly fight,' he said. 'Ideally since we are a coalition government, we would like to continue the contest as Mahayuti. But wherever we do not contest under an alliance, we should ensure there is no bitterness and nobody works against each other,' the BJP leader added. Fadnavis also expressed confidence over the alliance winning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, claiming that the next mayor of Mumbai will be from Mahayuti. 'The next mayor in Mumbai will be from Mahayuti. It does not matter whether Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS come together or fight separately. One thing is very clear that Mahayuti will win the elections in BMC and also have its Mayor in Mumbai,' he said. Mentioning about BJP's record victory in last year's Assembly polls — the party won 137 seats — the chief minister said, 'In the next five years, our government will fulfill the aspirations of the common man. When the government completes five years, Maharashtra will be completely transformed.' Launching an attack on the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), he added, 'The opposition cannot compete with us on the development agenda. Therefore, they come out with a new narrative every day. On the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, they started attacking the government mindlessly. This shows their total disregard for the Constitution and democracy,' he said, stressing the Act was not against political opponents.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Why did Justice Varma submit to in-house inquiry if it was contrary to Constitution, Supreme Court asks
The Supreme Court on Monday (July 28, 2025) questioned High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma's choice to submit to an in-house inquiry procedure into an allegation of 'burnt cash' found at his official residential premises in Delhi, despite finding the procedure to be 'completely contrary to the Constitutional scheme'. A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih asked whether he was at the time looking for a favourable outcome. Supreme Court hearing on Justice Varma's petition updates: SC asks Sibal to place on record the fact-finding committee report, adjourns case to July 30 The query came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal complained that the action taken by the Supreme Court at the time, including release of sensitive visual and audio materials showing 'burnt currency', 'convicted' Justice Varma in the public eye. 'There was a public furore, media interactions named the judge, accusations were levelled against the judge and the findings of the inquiry committee found its way into the public domain. He was convicted in the public eye from day one,' Mr. Sibal argued. Mr. Sibal said the process of removal of a judge was covered under Article 124(4) of the Constitution. The inquiry had to be done under the Judges Inquiry Act. The in-house procedure was meant to 'enhance' the moral vigour of the judiciary and depicted zero tolerance to judicial misconduct. 'Violation of Article 121' The senior counsel said the outing of sensitive material regarding a sitting High Court judge and very public discussions on his conduct violated the bar under Article 121 of the Constitution. 'Article 121 restricts discussions even in the Parliament on a sitting judge unless there is evidence of proven misconduct against him… Here, he was already 'convicted' in the public eye. The in-house inquiry procedure was devised to enhance the moral authority of the judiciary. The conduct of the in-house inquiry and its report, now in the public domain, hardly meet that objective,' Mr. Sibal argued. Mr. Sibal challenged the inquiry committee's finding of misbehaviour against Justice Varma. 'If cash is found in an outhouse, what is the behaviour of the judge to do with it… There is no 'behaviour' or 'misbehaviour' involved. They have to prove the cash belonged to him. They never found that… There could never have been a recommendation for my [read Justice Varma's] removal,' Mr. Sibal argued. 'Political overtones' The counsel said the issue of 'removal' of the judge has taken on political overtones. 'But removal is also a political procedure,' Justice Datta observed. 'Yes, inside the Parliament, not outside,' Mr. Sibal responded. 'You could have raised these points immediately, without submitting to the committee's jurisdiction… why did you not?' Justice Datta asked. Mr. Sibal contended that the decision of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna (now retired) in May to forward the committee report and recommendation for the removal of Justice Varma was 'illegal'. 'Why do you think sending it to the President, who is the appointing authority of the judge, illegal? And what is wrong in sending it to the Prime Minister? He is the leader of the Council of Ministers. His advice is taken at the time of appointment of judges. Sending it to the President or the Prime Minister does not mean the Chief Justice is trying to impress or persuade the House to accept his point of view,' Justice Datta responded. The court listed the case on July 30, directing Mr. Sibal to place the inquiry committee's report on record.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Shiv Sena (UBT) delegation meets governor, submits letter demanding dismissal of tainted, corrupt and insensitive ministers
Mumbai: A delegation of Shiv Sena (UBT) politicians, led by leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve and MLC Anil Parab, met governor C P Radhakrishnan and submitted a letter demanding the immediate dismissal of tainted, corrupt and insensitive ministers and MLAs of the Mahayuti govt. "Information was given about the malpractices and cases of many ministers in the state cabinet. The factual situation of the serious cases of minister Sanjay Shirsat, agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, minister of state Yogesh Kadam, and minister Nitesh Rane was presented before the governor. Information was given to the governor regarding many cases such as the honey trap case, the Thane-Borivli tunnel case, and irregularities in the land acquisition process of Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation," Danve said. "These incidents are not just a matter of law and order but are a clear insult to the democratic values and fundamental rights of the citizens of that state. The representatives of the ruling party and their supporters are giving an unspoken signal to the public that the law is supreme and there is a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear and insecurity was created among the common citizens. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like (1) Activate Antivirus License Now Click Here Undo Considering the seriousness of your position as the protector of the Constitution, we are requesting you to issue clear instructions to the CM to dismiss all these corrupt and tainted ministers and violent MLAs and take strict action," Danve said in his letter to the governor. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
