Greg Olsen had very aptly said ‘Change happens through example and not through just talking about it’. And this is exactly what Justice (Retd) Prafulla Kumar Misra has done, right from the day he took over as Lokayukta of Goa on April 28th last year.
While leading an exemplary life with the utmost form of ethical conduct, Justice Misra has kept away from socializing. He has even kept aloof from the Independence Day, Liberation and Republic day receptions hosted by the Governor at Raj Bhavan. Justice Misra is of the opinion that as Lokayukta it is not proper for him to mingle and jingle with politicians and public officials whose acts of omission and commission he has to oversee.
Frequent socialising with particular members of the legal profession or with the litigants, including potential litigants raises suspicion that the judge is inclined to undue influence in the discharge of duties. A judge must inevitably choose to be a little aloof and isolated from the community at large and should not socialize with lawyers including the Advocate General, individuals or political leaders and Ministers. In the last decade we have all been witness to that frequent socializing by the Advocate General with a High Court Judge. A good Judge was led into the world of vices with even his wife having to request the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court not to post her husband in Goa.
Once you become a Judge, one without doubt has to self impose certain palpable limitations. Judges owe a solemn duty to the community at large and everyday must question themselves whether they have done or said anything which is inconsistent with the oath of office they have taken and which otherwise is conflicting with their obligations as a judge.
Judges in Goa could never find a better role model than Justice P.K Misra, who firmly feels that clean persons in black robes are required to uphold the independence and the integrity of the judiciary. A Judge who always speaks his mind and never minces words in what he has to communicate.
We are reminded of the statement of Benjamin Franklin which very much relates to the judiciary “Only a virtuous person is capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of such masters”.