Karnataka CJ transfer: Ramadoss draws link with Jaya case, wants order cancelled

PMK leader S Ramadoss on Tuesday demanded that the sudden transfer of Karnataka HC Chief Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela be cancelled. He said the decision to name Waghela the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court was a hurried one, taken a few hours before the National Judges Appointment Act was passed and the collegium of judges lost the power to appoint judges.

Ramadoss said Waghela is a non-controversial and clean judge. “He has delivered several landmark judgments. Ever since AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa was convicted by a lower court in the disproportionate assets case and she filed an appeal in Karnataka high court, there were moves to shift Waghela from Karnataka HC,” he said, adding Waghela “refused to yield to several pressures in the Jayalalithaa case earlier.” Ramadoss said: “Dattu’s orders granting bail to Jayalalithaa and ordering completion of the wealth case within three months have been criticised in legal circles. In these circumstances, the transfer has confirmed doubts.”