The Rajasthan High Court has placed eight judicial officers under Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) as a disciplinary measure following a surprise inspection conducted by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma at the High Court Heritage Building complex and nearby subordinate courts in Jodhpur.
The action was taken on Tuesday after the Acting Chief Justice found several courtrooms vacant during designated court hours and some judicial officers present in their chambers instead of presiding over court, despite a clearly demarcated schedule separating court time and chamber time.
The inspection took place on a day when the High Court premises at Jhalamand received a bomb threat via e-mail, prompting evacuation of the complex and a temporary delay in proceedings. A notice was issued stating that hearings would commence later in the afternoon after security checks.
During this period, the Acting Chief Justice conducted an on-ground inspection of district, metropolitan and other subordinate courts. Multiple courtrooms were found non-functional, and several judicial officers were not present on the dais during scheduled court hours.
Soon after the inspection, the Registrar General issued an order placing eight judicial officers under APO with immediate effect, citing administrative reasons. The order did not set out detailed findings but followed the Acting Chief Justice taking a serious view of lapses in discipline and punctuality.
Among those placed under APO, District and Sessions Judge Ajay Sharma has been directed to mark his presence at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur. The remaining seven officers have been instructed to report to the headquarters of the concerned District and Sessions Judge.
Placement under APO is an administrative measure under which a judicial officer is relieved from current judicial work and directed to await further posting orders. It is generally used pending administrative review or further decisions by the High Court on postings and assignments.
The development follows the Acting Chief Justice’s surprise inspection aimed at assessing court functioning and adherence to prescribed court schedules in the subordinate judiciary.
