On Friday, more than 100 advocates from the Madras high court’s Madurai bench wrote to the Supreme Court collegium in support of the recommendation to appoint advocate Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri as a Madras High Court judge. The representation is also signed by some Senior Advocates like K. Balasundharam, K.P.S.Palanivel Rajan and S. Srinivasa Raghavan, the President of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bar Association.
The advocates wrote to the collegium after a group of Chennai-based lawyers urged President Droupadi Murmu to reconsider the collegium’s recommendation to elevate Gowri. The advocates claimed that Gowri, as a BJP leader, gave several anti-minority speeches.
The advocates stated in their representation to President Murmu on Friday that Gowri, who is currently working as an assistant solicitor general of India at the Madurai bench, has worked hard and contributed to the upholding of the law. Several advocates who worked directly as members or office-bearers of political parties have been appointed as judges across India, and many have been appointed judges of the Madras high court despite being district secretaries or office-bearers of Tamil Nadu’s leading political parties.
The collegium was pleased to recommend her name based on input from central and state government agencies. A group of advocates from various political parties is attempting to interfere with the administration of justice and the appointment of judges for no reason other than political animosity. This should be avoided at all costs.
According to the advocates, it is important to note that in the past, many advocates with political affiliations were appointed judges and performed their duties well and impartially. It is also assumed that Gowri will perform her duties as a judge.
“We humbly request to reject the claim of a group of lawyers to withdraw the recommendations of the collegium relating to the appointment of Mrs. L. Victoria Gowri.”, the representation reads.
“It is to be considered that based on the inputs from the state and the central government like Special Branch Police, Intelligence Bureau, and as well from the candidates, the Hon’ble Collegium was pleased to recommend her name. Now without any valid reasons, except political vendetta and political animosity, a group of advocates belonging to some political factions is directly trying to interfere with the administration of justice and administration of judges.”, the representation says.
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