Lawyers in Goa protest suspension of judge, strike work

Panaji, Feb 11 (PTI) Protesting against suspension ofDistrict Judge Desmond D''Costa, lawyers across the state todaystruck work and also staged a march to the registrar''s office.

South Goa Advocates Association (SGAA) which isspearheading the agitating in the matter has demandedimmediate revocation of suspension order signed by PrincipleSessions Judge U V Bakre.

"The legal fraternity in Goa is agitated with thesuspension of Judge Desmond D''Costa. He is a gentleman," SGAAPresident Anacleto Viegas told reporters in Panaji.

The lawyers today also marched to the Registrar''s officeand demanded that the suspension be revoked.

The courts in the towns of Margao, Canacona, Sanguem,Quepem, Pernem, Mapusa, Ponda and Vasco did not function todayas lawyers refused to participate in the proceedings.

D''Costa was suspended on February 8 by a single lineorder which did not specify reasons behind action against him.

"This is like punishing the person before he is foundguilty," Viegas said adding that the lawyers stand firmlybehind D''Costa who has an untainted career and had made animpact on the judiciary.

Viegas said that D''Costa was suspended for disposing ofa criminal case in the quickest possible time.

He argued that the High Court, which issued orders forsuspension of the judge, was incorrectly briefed by D''Costa''sseniors, which led to his suspension.