BJP flays retired judges for remarks against Justice Swaminathan

CHENNAI: The State unit of the BJP on Sunday lashed out at retired High Court judges K Chandru and D Hariparanthaman for extending support to Madurai-based advocate S Vanchinathan, who is facing judicial proceedings initiated by Justices GR Swaminathan and K Rajasekar of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

A day after former Justice KK Sasidharan distanced himself from a joint appeal issued by former judges in support of Vanchinathan, BJP state vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy issued a rebuttal targeting Justice Hariparanthaman in particular.

"Retired judge Hariparanthaman's decision to hold a press conference criticising Justice GR Swaminathan is deeply condemnable. His repeated remarks reveal an apparent prejudice against the Brahmin community," Narayanan Thirupathy said.

Accusing retired judge Hariparanthaman of political bias, the BJP leader said, "His invocation of Dravidar Kazhagam president Veeramani and former High Court judge Chandru to validate his claims clearly exposes his ideological leanings. It is unacceptable for a retired judge to publicly direct sitting judges on how to deliver verdicts, all while flaunting the title of former judge."

The BJP said such conduct not only undermines the judiciary's independence but also erodes public trust in the legal system.