'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."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
