Senior Counsel Saresh Lotlikar on 13th June while arguing on behalf of the State in the Saaniya Salve and Atmaram Nadkarni matter while concluding his arguments point blank told Panaji Judicial Magistrate Edgar Fernandes that if he directed an F.I.R against Saaniya Salve and Atmaram Nadkarni that his order would be quashed by the Bombay High Court for the asking. Was this not threatening the Judge? Is it not a clear contempt of Court? We have to wait and see whether this high handed statement by Saresh Lotlikar reflects and does not go unnoticed in Judge Edgar’s order. Such a threatening statement by an advocate cannot be condoned more so since it came from a Senior lawyer who ideally has to be a role model for the legal fraternity. The Judge should refer the matter to the High Court for action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
I had a lot of respect for Saresh Lotlikar who was my professor at the Law College but his sordid conduct of late makes me very concerned about the Independence of the Judiciary. Not long ago he dared argue matters before a Judge who was earlier his client too. Later he took the lead in organizing a banquet for that Judge when she was elevated to the High Court. The Senior Counsel even ran helter skelter sourcing big fish for that fishy dinner. That the dinner was called off at the 11th hour is another story. Arranging dinners for Judges should never ever be on any advocate’s agenda Though the RSS lobby within the BJP has been wanting their man Saresh Lotlikar as Goa’s Advocate General but Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seems to be more at ease with the flamboyant and crafty Atmaram Nadkarni with whom he even travelled all the way to the infamous lanes of the red light area of Pattaya in Thailand. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is on record saying that it was only for a Thai massage or two. The truth only God would know. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
