Embattled Dinakaran sworn in as Sikkim CJ

Justice Paul Daniel Dinakaran, facing impeachment proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on Monday after his transfer to the Himalayan state following allegations of corruption.

Justice Dinakaran was sworn in by Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Ashirwad Bhavan in the Raj Bhavan complex. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, cabinet ministers and top officials were present at the function.

Justice Dinakaran had been directed to assume charge on or before August 13 following a decision by President Pratibha Patil after consultation with Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia. The 60-year-old Justice Dinakaran had been recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court by its Collegium in August 2009. The government returned the recommendation to the Collegium in December 2009 after several top jurists objected to his name citing allegations of corruption and land grabbing.

In January, opposition parties had moved an impeachment motion against Justice Dinakaran in the Rajya Sabha. Allegations listed in the impeachment motion against the judge include possessing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, unlawfully securing five housing board plots in the name of his wife and two daughters and entering into benami transactions. The charges against him also include acquiring and possessing agricultural holdings beyond the ceiling limit. Justice Dinakaran has denied the allegations. In March, the Supreme Court Collegium had asked Justice Dinakaran to proceed on leave, but he did not do so. The Collegium then recommended his transfer to the Government.