Have the ‘highest regard’ for my father,plea motivated: Former Chief Justice’s son to HC

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Shanti Sarup Dewan,85,wherein he had alleged that he and his wife Romilla Dewan were leading “animal existence” in their house. He also alleged that their life had been turned into a living hell.

Countering these accusations,for the first time,his son filed his response in the High Court. Suvir has blamed his close family members for tutoring his father against him. Submitting that he is a “dutiful son”,Suvir said that the petition had been “got filed” through his father in order to evict him (Suvir) out of the house. He has further alleged that the “greedy” family members want to grab the house.

He has alleged that “mild misunderstandings” between his wife and his mother were blown out of proportion by his family members.

Meanwhile,as directed by the High Court on the last date of hearing,the former Chief Justice produced a list of mediators. The list comprised names of four retired High Court Judges,namely Justices (retd) Kuldip Singh,H S Bedi,S S Sodhi and Mehtab Singh Gill. Also,name of senior lawyer M L Sarin has been proposed by the former Chief Justice as a mediator for an amicable solution.

However,Suvir produced his list of mediators which included names of two sitting High Court Judges,Justices Mahesh Grover and M M S Bedi. Suvir’s list also included names of few family members. Refusing to accept Suvir’s list,the division bench asked Suvir to consider names of retired High Court Judges as mediators,as proposed by his father.

The division bench headed by Justice Surya Kant remarked that it would be prudent to include retired High Court Judges who have the “moral authority” to prevail upon the former Chief Justice than sitting High Court Judges. Suvir has been given two days’ time to reconsider his list of mediators.

On the issue of accusations and counter-accusations between the father and son,the bench made it clear that the court would not go into the “merits” of the case and would aim to resolve the dispute amicably by appointing mediators.

This is for the first time that a retired Chief Justice has approached the court seeking protection from his own son. The bone of contention,as per Dewan,is the one-kanal house in Sector 11 which his son intends to “grab”.