TN: Dalit judge alleges discrimination

CHENNAI: Advocates here met Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal of the Madras High Court and sought help for Justice C.S. Karnan, a judge from the Dalit community who has complained of discrimination.A group of lawyers from the high court called on the chief justice, seeking justice for the judge and action against those responsible for the alleged discrimination."The chief justice gave a patient hearing to the lawyers and said that the matter was with the Chief Justice of India," an advocate, who attended the meeting, told IANS, preferring anonymity.According to him, the chief justice told the lawyers that he did not know the caste of brother judges."We had requested that the dignity and decorum of the judicial institution should be maintained by all the parties concerned - judges and the lawyers," S. Prabhakaran, president of Tamil Nadu Advocates Association, told IANS.He said similar views were expressed by Madras High Court Advocates Association president G. Mohanakrishnan.According to reports, Justice Karnan sought an inquiry by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes alleging that he was being victimised by brother judges as they were bothered by his independent nature in deciding cases.