CHENNAI: After directing the CBI to conduct an enquiry on the education qualification of one of the Madras High Court judges, Justice C S Karnan has sprang another surprise by asking the Registrar General of the court to sanction `5 lakh to meet the legal expenses to defend his case before the Supreme Court.
Last Monday, on behalf of the Madras High Court, the Registrar General (RG) had moved an appeal before the Supreme Court against a suo motu order of Justice Karnan regarding the selection of judicial magistrates by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. Following this, the apex court issued a blanket stay on Justice Karnan’s order and restrained him from interfering in the selection process.
Referring to this appeal, Justice Karnan, through his letter addressed to the RG dated May 11, said, “... now the order is being challenged by you before the Supreme Court. I have to disclose the facts of the case before the SC through a Senior Advocate and his associates, for which kindly sanction me Rs five lakh after observing necessary formalities since the case has to be proceeded at the cost of Madras High Court.”