The Patna High Court verdict absolving all the 26 accused in 1997 Laxman Bathe Dalit massacre will "erode" the faith of poor and people from weaker sections in the judicial system, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said today.
Yadav described the court's decision as "painful" and demanded that weaker section should be given reservation in the judiciary, as it must be representative of the true character of the society.
"It is a very painful verdict. It will erode the faith of poor and weak people in our judiciary," Yadav said.
The Bihar government, he said, has already decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the HC's decision.
"The verdict points to the need for adequate representation of the underprivileged people in our judiciary," he said.
A division bench of the court on October 9 acquitted all the 26 persons accused of killing 58 Dalits in the Bihar village.
The accused were suspected members of Ranveer Sena, an upper caste militia formed purportedly to fight Maoists.
