It was another painful letter to write but I had to rise to the occasion. Being a member of the legal fraternity I cannot remain a mere spectator to the lowering standards of the Judiciary.
Have sent a complaint to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Mohit Shah against Justice U.V. Bakre for having heard a case pertaining to Mining in Goa. A copy of the complaint has been also sent to the Chief Justice of India R.M.Lodha. Have drawn their attention that it was not proper for Justice U.V.Bakre to have heard any case pertaining to the Goa Mining saga as he was the Law Secretary of Goa from 21st November 2005 to 8th April 2007 during which the government took several controversial decisions on the Mining issue. A bunch of petitions filed by the Mining Companies was recently heard by a bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa of which Justice Bakre was a part with the judgment delivered on 13th August 2014 directing the Goa Government to renew the mining leases. The Justice Shah Commission which probed the Goa illegal mining scam also held government officials responsible for the irregularities that perpetrated. Justice Bakre who as Law Secretary having been privy and party to many of those controversial decisions should have recused from hearing any matter pertaining to Mining in Goa. The judiciary must ensure that it remains independent and is seen to be independent of any influence that might reasonably be perceived as compromising its ability to judge cases fairly and impartially. To maintain society’s trust and confidence, justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. In every judicial proceeding there is need to uphold the public policy of maintaining the integrity of the judiciary and at the same time achieving fairness to the parties concerned. The trust of the people is shaken when the judiciary does not discharge its duties as per the mandate of the Constitution. Judges need to save the Temples of Justice from embarrassment which tends to lower the image of the judicial system, which is already passing through testing times being under attack every day. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires