The unending pressure that the Forum of Judicial Accountability (Forum) has been putting on Justice Sirpurkar (pictured) to recuse himself from the Dinakaran probe panel seems to have finally yielded results.

According to media reports, Justice V.S. Sirpurkar who was heading the 3 member probe panel against tainted judge, Justice Dinakaran wrote to Vice President, Hamid Ansari on Wednesday asking to be recused from all his duties regarding the panel.

Media sources indicate that Ansari has accepted his resignation and has been learnt to have written to the Chief Justice of India, S.H. Kapadia asking for a new name that can take Sirpurkar’s place.

The Forum, which has been relentless in its demand for Sirpurkar’s recusal had pointed out various aspects, which would have raised questions regarding his neutrality while deciding the merits of the allegations against Dinakaran. Chief among them was the fact that both Dinakaran and Sirpurkar were on Division benches at the Madras High Court. They have also carried out administrative duties together. 

Their relationship has been on a personal and social level too with both, Dinakaran and Sirpurkar partaking in wedding celebrations of their family members respectively. Justice Sirpurkar had also recommended Dinakaran’s name for elevation to the Supreme Court.

Justice Dinakaran faces impeachment proceedings if found guilty of abuse of judicial office and having assets disproportionate to known sources of income.