Karnataka Contempt Row: Governor Ups the Ante Over Minister's 'Political' Remarks in Court
Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has directed Karnataka Advocate General to move contempt case against Waqf and Minorities Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan. Mr Gehlot passed the direction on 6 November following a petition by activist T J Abraham who had filed against Khan alleging he had brought his stature down by speaking regarding the judgement given by the Karnataka High Court recently.
His comments were in reference to a high court judgement upon allotment of sites by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). In his petition, which he filed on October 21, it is alleged that Khan questioned the integrity of the judicial process, suggesting that the court went out of its way to arrive at its decision. For Abraham, that such remarks are left unchecked may start ebbing away the people's trust in the judiciary.
The petition also attacked the advocate general's office for failure to act on the matter, indicating it was nursing the minister. Even after the governor ordered, a Raj Bhavan official claimed the order has been conveyed to the advocate general for "necessary action as per law."
Khan attempted to explain his statements at a media briefing in Channapatna, Ramanagara district over the allegations. He stated that he wanted to bring forth the political exploitation of the verdict by the court, not to say that the judgment was a politically charged order. Khan regretted his words, declaring that he respects the judiciary and apologized to the public one day after he spoke. Khan proclaimed that he had never intended to sully the image of the court as a whole or give it an undermining position.
This development brings to the fore the requirements that public personalities be more chaste about their remarks on the judiciary, and also that the governor be responsible enough about maintaining judicial respect in the state of Karnataka.
