Sanika Deshpande –
Published On: October 31, 2021 at 09:40 IST
The Karnataka High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which Sought Directions to the Union and State Government to declare sitting Judges of the Supreme Court of India and Other High Court’s are Eligible for Padma/State Awards.
A Bench of Justices Awasthi and Sachin Shankar Magadum stated that, “Giving of such awards is against the Constitution. You (petitioner) could not get a better issue to raise for the benefit of judges? We are not interested in getting awards. We are only interested in working. We don’t want any awards. We are totally against the awards.”
Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi stated “We are not interested in getting awards. We are only interested in working.”
The Plea which was filed had also claimed that making Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court lead isolated, asocial, and secluded life is against ‘Indianisation of Judiciary’, a concept envisaged by the Chief Justice of India, N V Ramana.
The High Court in its order said that “The Petitioner appearing in person has not been able to satisfy the Court as to why any indulgence be granted for the relief claimed. The award such as Padma awards or state awards are given at the discretion of the Central or State government and no person has any Right to claim that he shall be given such awards. The Petition being devoid of merits is Dismissed.”
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