The news article below is taken from The Hindu dated April 11th, 2012.

"Disclosing that he was “approached by a party”, a judge of the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a petition involving a dispute between the original land owners and two major real estate developers.

Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar, who had reserved the judgment on the petition after completion of hearing, on Wednesday said in the court hall that he would not be passing the verdict on the petition while pointing out that the client of advocate K. Suman had “approached” him [the judge]. Renaissance Holdings and Developers (P) Ltd. is the firm represented by Mr. Suman. Also, the judge told Mr. Suman's junior that such a thing should not happen in future. The judge, while recusing himself from delivering the judgment on the petition, referred it to the Chief Justice for posting it before another judge.

The plea relates to land near Bengaluru International Airport, Devanahalli, on which two real estate developers are building posh villas."

It states that a particular client had "approached" the judge. As against the practice as seen in earlier instances in P&HC High Court or otherwise, the approacher was not prosecuted. I believe that a trend to prosecute those indulging in corrupt practices to should be created in order create fear. The judiciary has become untrustworthy after several such instances. It is such in this case that the judge in all honesty came out in public to say that he was approached and therefore recused himself. On the other hand there was an instance earlier in Jagan Mohan Reddy's case wherein he tried to buy the judiciary.

I would like to know the views of other LI users. Shouldnt there be a CBI inquiry in the present circumstance? Shouldn't the person who has offered a bribe be punished? The client might subsequently approach judges and there might be an instance where the judge does not come out in public.