'Regret I couldn’t demolish feudal culture': Outgoing Madras HC Chief Justice
Chennai, Nov 17: The outgoing Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice Sanjib Banerjee whose transfer to Meghalaya kicked up a controversy here, on Wednesday left for Kolkata by road, did not have a farewell and said his actions were "never personal" but taken in the interest of the institution.
In a letter to his colleagues at the Bench, the members of the Bar, the Registry and the staff, he appreciated the kindness and warmth with which he and his spouse were greeted during his 11-odd months of tenure here.
In particular, he told "all the staff" his regret is "that I could not completely demolish the feudal culture in which you serve" while appreciating their cooperation, even as he said he was "sorry" for the long hours they kept for him.
Police sources said Justice Banerjee and his spouse left for Kolkata for their onward journey to Meghalaya, where he would serve in the High Court, and the state police accompanied him till Vellore, a border district.
In his two page letter, he "apologised" with his colleagues at the Bench "for being unable to last the distance and second, for not saying goodbye to you in person."
"Finally, to the few of you who may have felt offended by any of my actions, please know that they were never personal. I perceived those actions as necessary for the institution," he said.
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, had earlier proposed Justice Banerjee's transfer from here to Meghalaya, with voices both in support and against the shifting, with a section of advocates writing to the CJI seeking the reconsider the decision.
The other side of lawyers described such persons as a "fringe group" aiming to malign the judiciary and urged the CJI to act against them.
Addressing the Bar in his letter, Justice Banerjee said it was the best among the country and had "suffered a talkative and sometimes grumpy old judge with more patience, respect and understanding that I may have deserved."
He credited the Registry for its efficiency that made administration easy.
He said he and his wife were forever indebted to everyone for the kindness and warmth and that "we leave with happiest memories."
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Nightclub fire: Goa court remands Luthra brothers in police custody for five days
Panaji (PTI): A court in North Goa on Wednesday remanded Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in police custody for five days.
The brothers, brought to Goa from Delhi after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 blaze that killed 25, were produced in the court after undergoing health check-ups twice at the District Hospital in North Goa.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Mapusa Puja Sardesai remanded the two brothers in police custody for five days.
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi who lost four family members in the tragedy, said that the accused were asking for “special consideration” claiming poor health.
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“We said they should not be given any extra relaxation,” he said, adding that the court has taken cognisance of the fact that this is about the death of “25 people in the form of mass genocide”.
“But since they kept pressing for medical check-up, the court ordered reexamination of their health. It is clear in the medical examination that they don’t require any consideration. The accused sought special considerations in the lock-up like a good mattress, which the court refused,” said Joshi.
A team of the Goa Police, along with the Luthra brothers, arrived at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in North Goa at 10.45 am.
The duo was initially taken to a Primary Health Centre at Siolim for medical examination. They were then taken to the District Hospital at Mapusa.
After their health assessment, the two were brought to the court.
The court directed that the accused be sent for fresh medical examination. Accordingly, the two were again taken to the District Hospital.
Later, they were produced before Judge Sardesai, who ordered the five-day police custody of the accused.
After the fire tragedy at Arpora village, the Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand. A court there allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand.
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The duo had fled to Phuket in Thailand early on December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.
They were detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government, which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
