Madras HC Chief Justice swearing-in embroiled in controversy

“With a bit of dismay, I am constrained to bring on record the incautious protocol extended to the Judges of the MHC at today’s swearing-in ceremony by the organisers of Raj Bhavan. It was not only a disappointment but an issue of serious concern. Was the Raj Bhavan unaware of the hierarchy between the Constitutional dignitaries and the police officers? Or is it their understanding that the HC Judges rank below the order of Hon’ble Ministers and Police Officers?” the judge said.

He said that he was given to understand from the High Court Registrar that prior rquest to oversee seating arrangements for the HC judges was denied by Raj Bhavan.

“If it is true, it is rather unfortunate and can only be termed to be a deliberate act of showing us the cold shoulder,” the Judge stated.

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Responding to the allegation, Raj Bhavan sources told DT Next that protocol was strictly followed in planning the seating arrangements at the event. “It is possible that the judge could have arrived a little late and thus had to be seated elsewhere,” a Raj Bhavan official said.