Karnataka BJP MLA Bail Issue: Lawyers Allege they Have to ‘Bribe Court Staff’ to Post Matters out of Turn

Bengaluru: The Advocates’ Association Bengaluru has written a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud alleging preferential listing of the anticipatory bail application filed by

BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, the prime accused in a corruption case registered by the Karnataka Lokayukta, in the Karnataka High Court (HC).

After the MLA from Channagiri constituency (Davanagere district) was granted anticipatory bail by the HC on Tuesday immediately a day after filing the plea, the Association wrote to CJI Chandrachud.

Advocates' Association Bengaluru writes to CJI DY Chandrachud against out of turn listing of BJP MLA's bail plea before Karnataka High Court

report by @whattalawyer https://t.co/32ateVZLhk

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) March 9, 2023

“The usual practice in the High Court of Karnataka is that new matters like anticipatory bail take several days and weeks for posting. But VIP matters are entertained overnight,” the letter reads.

The Association wrote that as this “practice would lead to the common man losing faith in the judicial system, it is of utmost importance that an MLA should also be treated as a common man”.

“The Advocates’ Association Bengaluru appeals to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Karnataka to direct the registry to post all anticipatory bail matters in one day so that the common man is treated as VIP,” the letter reads. 

Association president Vivek Subbareddy told Newsclick outside the HC that “memos for posting fresh matters take weeks and months to process. Lawyers incur huge expenses to get the matters posted out of turn. They have to pay bribes to the court staff. There is much corruption in the administration of courts”.

“In such a situation, the matter (Virupakshappa’s case) was posted the same day,” he said adding that “VIP treatment should be given to the common man. Of all places, courts must be equal to all”.

Expressing concern at the “working of the system (within the judiciary)”, he said, “We hope for a positive response from the CJI. We are concerned about the common man’s perception of the court. If he loses faith, it causes great damage to the institution.”

Last week, the MLA’s son Prashanth Madal, the chief accountant of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 41 lakh from a contractor at the Karnataka Soap and Detergents Limited (KSDL) office. The Indian Express had reported that he was collecting the bribe on behalf of his father, who is the chairman of KSDL. Subsequently, Virupakshappa resigned from his position.

As per the bail order, Virupakshappa cannot enter the KSDL office and was ordered to surrender before the Lokayukta investigating officer within 48 hours of receiving the bail order.