SC stays observation of K'taka HC judge who claimed alleged threats of transfer
orders fresh bail hearing
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday gave relief to senior Karnataka cop Seemant Kumar Singh and bureaucrat J Manjunath and directed Karnataka HC to to decide on the bail matter afresh.
The SC also stayed observations made by Karnataka High Court calling Seemant Kumar a "tainted officer" and ACB a "Collection Centre" of bribe.
"Conduct of the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) officer is unconnected to the case that was being heard. Rather than considering the bail application, the judge focused on other things which may not be relevant and beyond the scope," CJI NV Ramana said.
Karnataka Additional Director General of Police Seemanth Kumar Singh and Indian Administrative Services officer J Manjunath had moved the top court seeking expunction of "adverse" remarks of Karnataka High Court judge HP Sandesh which were made during the hearing of a bribery case. They also sought a stay on the proceedings.
Justice Sandesh had questioned why Mr Manjunath, the then Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner, was not made an accused in the bribery case
IAS officer J Manjunath, who is currently in jail in the bribery case, said that some of the observations were made against him without giving him an opportunity to represent himself.
The plea said, "The High Court has lost sight of the fact that such remarks at nascent stages of investigation have a disastrous bearing on the fair probe and judicious conclusion of the criminal proceedings, including his right to remedy of bail," and added that he has been subjected to media trial due to these remarks.
The judge later claimed to have received a threat of transfer after his remarks.
"Allegations made by the judge are a different matter and we don't want to give an impression that we are favouring one side," the CJI said.
The matter is to be heard next after three weeks.
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Patna-bound IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Lucknow due to bad weather
Lucknow (PTI): Adverse weather forced an IndiGo Kolkata-Patna flight to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Friday, airport sources said.
According to airport officials, weather conditions in Patna deteriorated suddenly on Friday afternoon, affecting flight operations.
IndiGo flight 6E 6917 from Kolkata, which was scheduled to land in Patna at 3.50 pm, could not land due to bad weather and kept circling in the air after failing to get clearance from air traffic control, they said.
The flight was later diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 5.15 pm. There were 180 passengers and six crew members on board, officials said.
The aircraft was later allowed to depart for Patna after weather conditions improved.
