Bengaluru Stampede: Retired HC Judge John Michael D'Cunha Leading Probe Had Convicted Jayalalithaa
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From the Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case to FIR against Yediyurappa, D'Cunha has been involved in several high-profile cases
The Karnataka government has constituted a one-man inquiry commission under retired High Court judge John Michael D'Cunha to inquire into the June 4 stampede at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru that killed 11 people.
From the Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case to FIR against Yediyurappa, D'Cunha has been involved in several high-profile cases.
He is currently heading inquiries into the pandemic medical procurement scam and oxygen-related deaths at Chamarajanagar hospital in Karnataka.
procedural lapses and submit its report in 30 days.
'…the Government, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, has constituted a one-man inquiry commission under the chairmanship of John Michael Cunha, retired Judge of the Karnataka High Court, to conduct an inquiry into the incident," the official notification dated June 5 said.
'The inquiry commission shall have all the powers to conduct inquiries under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 and Code of Civil Procedure, and the government expects the investigation to be completed and a report submitted within one month," it said.
The terms of reference in the notification include, to find — whether the necessary permissions, rules and procedures were followed while organising the RCB team's victory felicitation ceremony at Chinnaswamy Stadium; the causes/causers of the rush and stampede that took place; the causes/causers of the incident that led to the death of 11 people and injury to more than 50 people based on the chain of events and circumstances.
Also, to inquire into the measures taken as a precaution regarding the incident and the omissions/deficiencies that may have occurred in this regard and to identify those responsible for this incident; and to inquire regarding other relevant aspects related to this incident.
This inquiry commission is separate from the magisterial inquiry that has been ordered, and shall conduct a parallel and comprehensive inquiry, it clarified.
The Chairman of the inquiry commission, if necessary, may take steps to obtain the services of one retired IPS officer and one retired IAS officer for technical and legal assistance. The salary/allowance expenses of the concerned officers shall be borne by the government. The Director General and Inspector General of Police, shall provide the necessary staff, materials, vehicles and office and furniture/telephone etc required for the commission of inquiry.
WHO IS RETIRED HC JUDGE D'CUNHA?
D'Cunha, who studied at SDM Law College in Mangalore, started his law practice in 1985, and formed Manu Associates with fellow advocates Amruth Kini, M P Noronha and Ullal S K. The name 'Manu' was formed from the first letter of each partner's name: 'M' for Michael, 'A' from Amruth, 'N' from Noronha and 'U' from Ullal.
In 1999, he left Mangalore to join the Karnataka High Court. In 2002 D'Cunha joined the judiciary as a District Judge. He has served in the courts of Bangalore, Bellary, and Dharwad. He also served as secretary to the Chief Justice and Registrar (Vigilance) of the High Court.
D'Cunha was appointed a judge in the Karnataka High Court in 2016 and retired on April 6, 2021.
HIGH-PROFILE JUDGMENTS
On 31 March 2021, a bench of Justice D'Cunha refused to quash the FIR against BS Yediyurappa in a case nicknamed Operation Kamala case.
D'Cunha was appointed by the Supreme Court of India in October 2013 as the fifth judge to investigate the disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa, replacing judge MS Balakrishna. On September 27, 2014, D'Cunha convicted Jayalalithaa, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. She was sentenced to a prison term of four years and fined Rs 100 crore.
Jayalalithaa was later acquitted by the High Court of Karnataka on May 11, 2015, claiming the trial court order by D'Cunha was not sustainable. However, the Supreme Court of India reconfirmed D'Cunha's order on February 14, 2017.
With PTI Inputs
tags :
bengaluru J Jayalalithaa news18 specials
Location :
Bengaluru, India, India
First Published:
June 09, 2025, 14:48 IST
News cities Bengaluru Stampede: Retired HC Judge John Michael D'Cunha Leading Probe Had Convicted Jayalalithaa
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