MARGAO, FEB 14
Members of the South Goa Advocates Association on Monday stayed away from the district and sessions court, besides the lower courts in protest against the suspension of Additional Sessions Judge Desmond D’Costa by the high court.
Agitating lawyers held an impromptu meeting outside the district court this morning and vowed to boycott the court of Principal Sessions Judge, U V Bakre till justice is done to Judge D’Costa..
Speakers expressed concern over the corruption in the judiciary and reiterated their demand for the setting up of a separate high court for Goa.
Addressing the advocates, Adv Prakash Prabhudesai said that Judiciary is supposed to be the strongest arm of the state. He said the advocates should not end with these two cases and called upon members of the legal fraternity to fight injustices in such cases in the future too.
Quepem-based Advocate Hegde Desai lamented saying that what is happening in Judiciary is very bad. “If this confusion prevails in the Judiciary, the people will loose their faith in the system. Differences amongst Judges should be resolved amongst themselves. We have to answer the question who is an efficient judge, a Judge who gives quick justice or on the one who just drags the matter”, he asserted.
Adv Tina said the careers of lower court judges can be ruined if the district Judges have anything against them and wondered how the high court can initiate action without any inquiry. “If this type of justice is given by the Temple of Justice, where are we heading”, she said, and called upon everyone to join hands to fight against corruption in the Temple of Justice.
In his address, Mahanand’s lawyer Adv Joe Antao said no irregularity or illegality has been committed by Judge Desmond D’costa while disposing off the criminal case.
He said there was no evidence in the case against Mahanand and wondered how Judge D’Costa could be prosecuted for the lack of evidence against the accused.
President of South Goa Advocates Association, Adv Anacleto Viegas clarified that the advocates are not boycotting the court proceedings, but said the advocates would only boycott the court of Principal Sessions Judge, U V Bakre from Tuesday.
“Today, the advocates have taken leave not to attend the courts. This is a situation which demands our attention much more the attention of anyone”, he said.
Viegas said that the advocates will not attend the cases in the court of the Principal Sessions Judge, Utkarsh V Bakre unless the wrong that has been done to Judge Desmond D’Costa is corrected and disclosed plans to hold a public meeting at the Lohia Maidan later this week.
Advocate Victor Diniz, Adv Joaquim D’Souza were amongst the Advocates who addressed members of the legal fraternity.
