BENGALURU: No farewell was accorded to the outgoing Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Subhro Kamal Mukherjee on Monday in accordance with an unsigned resolution passed by the Karnataka State Bar Council. The resolution cited a few complaints against him. Last week, the Bar Council had boycotted the proceedings of the Chief Justice’s court hall for a day. Subsequently, the Advocates Association of Bengaluru decided not to give farewell to the outgoing judge.
The Bar Council did not even receive the customary request from the High Court to give farewell. Usually, the chairman of Bar Council receives the request from the high court to address at the farewell programme to be organised at the court hall no.1 of the High Court on the last day of the retirement of judges.
On Monday, hardly 10 cases were listed before the division bench headed by Chief Justice Mukherjee. The division bench sat for about 10 minutes and heard all the cases. As the bench was about to conclude the proceedings, senior counsel Uday Holla expressed regret over the decision of Advocates Association.
Wishing a happy retired life for the Chief Justice, Holla said: “It is very unfortunate my lord that the Bar Association members, especially youngsters, have decided not to give the farewell.”
In reply, the Chief Justice replied ‘Thank you.’ Some senior advocates and two additional advocate generals were present.Justice Mukherjee was elevated as permanent judge of the High Court of Calcutta on September 15, 2000. He took oath as judge of Karnataka High Court on April 15, 2015 and was appointed as acting Chief Justice of the High Court on June 1, 2015. On February 23, 2016, he was appointed as Chief Justice.Justice H G Ramesh, senior most judge of the High Court, will assume charge as acting Chief Justice on Tuesday.