In what has been dubbed as a case of judicial over-activism, the Supreme Court has recently constituted a fact-finding committee to be headed by former Kerala High Court judge, Justice S Siri Jagan..The committee has been tasked with examining complaints with regard to injuries sustained due to dog bites in Kerala. The committee has also been asked to ascertain specifics including as the nature and gravity of the injury, availability of medicines, and the treatment administered to them..The order appointing the 3-member committee was passed by a Bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh..Justice Siri Jagan enrolled at the Bar in 1974. He was appointed as Additional judge of Kerala High Court in 2005 and was made permanent judge in 2006. He retired on January 22, 2014..Speaking to Bar & Bench, Justice Siri Jagan said that he has not received any official communication yet. When asked about judicial over reach in such cases, he said that,.“If the Supreme Court has told me to do it, I will certainly do it.”.Beside Justice Siri Jagan, the committee also consists of the Law Secretary of Kerala and the State Director of Health Services. The retired judge will also be entitled to a honorarium of sixty thousand rupees per month..The Committee has been asked to submit the first report within 12 weeks, following which the apex court will decide on granting compensation to victims or other appropriate measures..The Court yesterday also awarded Rs. 40,000 as compensation to a man whose wife had succumbed to injuries from stray dog attack. The Court, has however, made it clear that it will not entertain any further petitions for compensation and people should approach the committee constituted by the court for the same..Senior Advocate R Basant appeared for the Kerala government while petitioner Anupam Tripathi appeared in-person. Jose Sebastian, the applicant seeking compensation, was represented by advocate VK Biju. Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave served as the amicus curiae..Read the Supreme Court order below..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
