The Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Subhro Kamal Mukherjee on Tuesday said that he was offered a bribe in connection with a review petition filed by Umrah Developers against the Revenue Department and the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district.
The New Indian Express reported that Mukherjee made this statement as he recused himself from hearing the case. His shocking revelation stunned advocates in the court hall.
When senior counsel Padmanabha V Mahale appeared to argue the land case, Mukherjee said, “This person, who was speaking in Bengali, walked into my house yesterday. He sought a favour, offering a bribe for disposing the case listed as Serial No 34.”
“My doors are always open. Anybody can come. But not this type. I don’t want to hear this case,” he added.
According to the newspaper, the Revenue Department had auctioned 1.2 acres in 2008. Umrah Developers was the highest bidder, and paid the full amount of Rs 2.1 crore.
This comes a month after Justice KT Shankaran of the Kerala High Court had recused himself from a smuggling case after he was also offered bribe, reported TNIE.