A lawyer has filed a complaint in Kerala High Court stating Kottayam district judge, PK Lakshmanan had forced judges, magistrates, and munsiffs under him to bow and touch the feet of retired Supreme Court judge K T Thomas.
The High Court lawyer Titus Mani mentions in his compliant that it was during a function held on October 2 that the district judge made judicial officers stand in queue and touch the feet of Justice Thomas.
According to a report in The Times of India, the complainant alleges that the district judge made his subordinates to stoop before a person with no legal or constitutional authority just to ensure a position in the State Human Rights Commission after retirement.
"A judge is to function without fear or favour. His only allegiance shall be to law and the Constitution. The meek surrender of the spineless bunch of judicial officers of Kottayam district before an individual proves that they are unfit to hold that post. The whole incident is abominable, repulsive and repugnant to reason. The district judge, the master manipulator and his stupid boys do not deserve to sit on the seat of justice even a day further,” the complainant said according to the TOI report.
However judge P K Lakshmanan told TOI that the function was part of a senior citizens' day observance.
“I was selected to the service by him (Justice Thomas). He was shown respect at the function. I touched his feet and the others too did so. I'm retiring this month-end and am planning to lead a retirement life. It was like `guru vandana' and he was honoured with a shawl (ponnada) and a booklet on Gandhiji and his blessings were obtained. This is the truth,” he said.
He also reportedly said that he was not eyeing any positions after his retirement.
Meanwhile Justice Thomas said as per the report, “Why should they touch my feet I don't have any power. I hadn't permitted anyone to touch my feet even when I was a high court judge.”