Judge pulls up HDK government for release of prisoners in 2006

BANGALORE: The rule of law cannot be compromised on grounds of political expediency, the high court said on Friday that HD Kumaraswamy government's decision to release 285 life convicts on the occasion of Suvarna Karnataka (50th year of statehood) in August 2006 was bad.
Justice N Kumar, while directing immediate arrest of Manjunath, a resident of Mandya whose release was challenged by the victim's family, said the governor and the government can take remedial steps regarding release of prisoners.
"A pardon by the President has been regarded not as a private act but as part of the constitutional scheme. This exercise of executive clemency is not a matter of privilege, it is a matter of official duty. It is not only for the convict's benefit but also for public welfare. Undue exercise of power is to be deplored. Rule of law cannot be compromised on grounds of political expediencies. The effect of such exercise on the victim's family and society as a whole hasto be kept in mind," the judge observed.
Hearing adjourned on BSY pleas
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen has adjourned to March 29 hearing on two writ appeals filed by former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.
Uday Lalit, senior counsel representing the former CM, told the court that the single bench while dismissing the petitions did not deal with actual merits of the case.
Sirajin Basha, the advocate who filed complaints against the former CM, sought time to file objections.