The Delhi High Court has taken administrative action against a sitting judge of the Saket Court, transferring him from his current position following serious allegations leveled by a Station House Officer (SHO) of the Delhi Police. The SHO accused the judge of persistent misbehavior, harassment, and compelling police personnel to perform personal tasks, including paying for personal items like a cricket kit and a gym membership.
Case Background
The matter came to light after SHO Pankaj Kumar, in-charge of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Police Station, made formal allegations against Mr. X Judge, who was then serving as a judge in the Saket Court. The jurisdiction of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Police Station fell under Judge X court, meaning all cases registered at the station were presented before him. SHO Kumar alleged that this jurisdictional power was being misused by the judge to harass him and his staff for approximately a year.
Allegations by the Complainant
In a detailed account, reportedly recorded in a daily diary, SHO Pankaj Kumar laid out a series of grave accusations against Judge X. The primary allegations include:
- Coercion for Personal Services: The SHO claimed that Judge forced him and other police officers to carry out personal work for him. It was alleged that police personnel from the Hazrat Nizamuddin station were made to travel to Rajasthan to work at the judge’s wedding in December of the previous year.
- Demand for Money: The SHO further alleged that the judge compelled him to bear personal expenses. Specifically, it was claimed that Judge Taparia made the SHO pay for a cricket kit and for his gym membership fees.
- Misconduct and Harassment: SHO Kumar stated that the judge frequently misbehaved with him in court. He contended that the judge was harassing police officials in certain cases, leveraging his judicial authority over the police station.
Action by the Delhi High Court
Following the emergence of these allegations, the Delhi High Court initiated action against Judge. Taking cognizance of the serious nature of the claims made by the police officer, the High Court issued an order on July 15, transferring Judge from his post at the Saket Court.
The administrative order by the Delhi High Court effectively removes the judge from his current judicial duties at the Saket Court pending further proceedings or posting. Judge, a resident of Jangpura Extension, will no longer preside over the court that handles cases from the Hazrat Nizamuddin Police Station.
