'Ill-intention to harass me', says retiring chief justice of Allahabad High Court on 2018 transfer
Prayagraj, (PTI): In his farewell speech, retiring Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker has alleged that his transfer from Chhattisgarh High Court in 2018 when the collegium was headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra was done to "harass" him.
Sitting on a ceremonial bench of the high court to mark his retirement on Tuesday, Diwaker said his transfer order "seemed to have been issued with an ill intention" - in remarks unusual for a judge to make on such an occasion.
"On March 31, 2009, I was elevated to the Bench. I discharged my duties as a judge in Chhattisgarh High Court till October 2018 to the satisfaction of one and all, and particularly to the satisfaction of my own inner being.
"Now, a sudden turn of events descended upon me when then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra showered on me some extra affection for reasons still not known to me which entailed my transfer to Allahabad High Court, where I assumed my office on October 3, 2018," said Diwaker.
"My transfer order seemed to have been issued with an ill intention to harass me. However, as fortune would have it, the bane turned into a boon for me because I received immeasurable support and cooperation from my companion judges as well as from the members of the Bar," he added.
Earlier this year, Justice Diwaker's name was recommended for the post of the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court by the current Collegium led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud.
Diwaker was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court on February 13, 2023 and took oath as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court on March 26, 2023, according to the court's official website.
"I am highly thankful to the present Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who rectified the injustice done to me," Diwaker said.
In his address, Diwaker also suggested that critics must see shortcomings before reaching any conclusion. "Furthermore, this court was subjected to criticism from various corners in relation to its functioning but I am of the firm belief that before reaching to a particular conclusion, critics must see the shortcomings prevailing in the institution from inside and as far as possible the problem should be vested with remedy," he said.
Justice Diwaker spoke about his career, starting as an advocate in 1984 in the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Born in 1961, he graduated in law from Durgawati University in Jabalpur and became a senior advocate in January 2005. He was elevated as a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court on March 31, 2009.
"I never aimed to be a judge, but destiny seems to have steered me in that direction. But I think when you love your profession, time seems to fly, carrying you swiftly towards success," he said.
Justice Diwakar also praised the lawyers practising before the Allahabad High Court bench at Lucknow.
"The quality of lawyers at Lucknow and their behaviour is commendable. Their legal acumen and presentation are as good as lawyers of any other High Court," he said.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
