New Delhi: It's an open battle in a circle that's usually guarded - that of judges. For months, Justice D V Shylendra Kumar of the Karnataka High Court has been skirmishing with his controversial boss - Chief Justice PD Dinakaran. The conflict is now being heard by the Supreme Court.
In regularly-updated blogs, Kumar has been critical of Dinakaran, who stands accused of corruption. In December, MPs from different parties signed a petition demanding Dinakaran's impeachment. A special committee is now studying the charges against Dinakaran - it includes two judges. If he's found guilty, Dinakaran can be impeached by Parliament.
The allegations against Dinakaran surfaced last year when he was recommended to the government for promotion to the Supreme Court. Currently, he does not attend court but performs administrative functions like rostering judges.
But two weeks ago, Kumar, in court, questioned administrative decisions taken by Dinakaran.
That annoyed the Karnataka High Court enough to take Kumar, or "the blogger judge", as he's called, to the Supreme Court.
Now, the Supreme Court has backed Dinakaran, stating that Kumar had overstepped his limits and that Dinakaran still has the authority to make administrative decisions.
Legal experts worry that Kumar vs Dinakaran is damaging the working and reputation of the Karnataka High Court.
"It is not for Justice Shylendra Kumar to countermand what is within the Chief Justice's power. There has been a mistake on both sides. While Dinakaran acted imperiously Justice Kumar compounded the error.
What the Supreme Cout order will do is to bring some sense into the non-sense which is paraded in Karnataka High Court," said constitutional expert Rajeev Dhawan.
In April, the Supreme Court collegium - five senior judges - decided to transfer Dinakaran to the Sikkim High Court. Lawyers in Karnataka had said they would boycott hearings that involved Dinakaran. The collegium then reportedly asked Dinakaran to proceed on leave while the investigation against him was being conducted. An Acting Chief Justice would take over, it was suggested. When he refused, the collegium considered moving him to Sikkim. However, lawyers there reacted angrily, warning that they would go on strike if they were treated as "a dumping ground" for Dinakaran. The transfer is still pending with the government. The President of India will have to sanction it.