New Delhi: A week after a judge wrote to the Railways seeking explanation for inconvenience caused during his train journey, a letter by a former judge of the Delhi High Court seeking disciplinary action against police personnel for losing his pet dog has now gone viral on social media.
Justice Gaurang Kanth, in his letter to a senior officer of the Delhi Police, said he lost his pet dog due to security personnel’s failure in locking the door of his residence.
“Due to a lack of devotion and incompetence on the part of the officers providing security at my official bungalow, I lost my pet dog,” he wrote to the Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police (Security) asking for immediate suspension of the officers.
ThePrint has a copy of the letter written on 12 June.
Justice Kanth was transferred to the Calcutta High Court where he took the oath of office on 21 July.
The security officials deputed at his residence failed to comply with his directions and carry out their professional duties, the judge wrote. “Such dereliction of duty and incompetence needs immediate attention as the same can cause grave danger to my life and liberty.”
Raising safety concerns about his family, the judge requested that a thorough investigation be carried out and asked the police to produce a report within three working days.
While security is provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Delhi Police is responsible for the personal security officer (PSO) to the judge. “No charges were pressed and no action was taken by the Delhi Police. Delhi Police only provides PSO,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.
ThePrint reached CRPF chief Sujoy Thaosen for a comment on the matter through texts and call. This report will be updated once response is received.
Earlier this month, Justice Gautam Chowdhary of the Allahabad High Court had sought an explanation from the Indian Railways after his train was delayed by over three hours and he was not served refreshments during the journey.
Taking note of this episode, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D. Y. Chandrachud had written to other chief justices advising the fraternity not to use protocol facilities in a manner that would cause inconvenience to others and bring the judiciary to public ridicule.
“Protocol ‘facilities’ which are made available to judges should not be utilised to assert a claim to privilege which sets them apart from society or as a manifestation of power or authority. A wise exercise of judicial authority, both on and off the Bench, is what sustains the credibility and legitimacy of the judiciary and the confidence which society has in its Judges,” the CJI had asserted.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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