Someone should keep an eye on you, CJI Thakur on Assistant PP’s in Gujarat

The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition challenging a decision of the Gujarat High Court which had upheld the supervisory control exercised by Public Prosecutors over Assistant Public Prosecutors in the State..The petition, which was filed by Gujarat State Assistant Public Prosecutors Association, was heard today by Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice UU Lalit which did not “see any reason to interfere with the High Court’s decision”..Public Prosecutors in Gujarat conduct cases in High Court and Sessions courts while Assistant Public Prosecutors conduct cases before Magisterial courts. The Public Prosecutors also exercise supervisory control over Assistant Public Prosecutors – this was challenged in the current case..Chief Justice Thakur, however, was simply not inclined to hear arguments..“So you want to be liberated and free? Somebody should keep an eye on you. For 7 years, you spend briefless at the Bar. Then you become APP and say nobody should supervise your work? Why should we interfere with the administrative setup”, remarked Chief Justice Thakur..The Court then proceeded to dismiss the case..Advocate Santosh Krishnan appeared for the petitioner.