SC directs relieving of HC judge probing Kalinaganagar firing

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed an application filed by the State of Orissa, seeking permission to allow sitting Orissa High Court judge A Suryanarayan Naidu to complete inquiry into the January 2, 2006 police firing in Kalinganagar in which 13 tribals were killed and several others injured.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and D K Jain, however, dismissed the petition and ruled that no sitting judge of any high court can head any commission of inquiry as per the judgement of this court in University of Kerala vs Council of Principals of Colleges, Kerala.

The tribals were protesting against forcible acquisition of land for Tata's aluminium plant.

The State of Orissa had earlier held that since the inquiry is at the fag end, Justice Naidu may be permitted to continue till the inquiry is completed and the state government also assured the apex court that in future it will not appoint any sitting High Court judge for any commission of inquiry.

The apex court did not agree and directed the government to relieve Justice Naidu immediately and appoint some retired judge.

UNI