The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the transfer of an alleged hit-and-run case involving a probationary judicial officer from a court in Punjab to a trial court in Delhi’s Rohini, citing concerns of bias raised by the victim’s family.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi passed the direction while hearing a plea filed by the deceased’s family seeking transfer of the case from Punjab, where the accused had served as a judicial officer. The family alleged that a fair trial would not be possible there due to the accused’s position in the judicial service.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the judicial officer stated that his client had “no objection” to the transfer of trial from Punjab but requested that it be shifted to Noida (Uttar Pradesh) instead of Delhi, arguing that the victim’s sister-in-law was a practising advocate in the national capital.
Rejecting this suggestion, the bench transferred the case to the Court of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rohini, observing that Delhi would be a neutral venue ensuring an impartial trial.
In addition, the top court transferred another related case filed by the deceased’s wife seeking transfer of investigation from the Punjab Police to the CBI. The bench directed that if further investigation is found necessary, it shall be conducted by the Delhi Police.
The court also ordered that the connected Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) proceedings pending in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, be moved to a competent court in Delhi.
According to the plea, the deceased died in a hit-and-run accident in February 2025, allegedly involving a car driven by the probationary judicial officer, who was posted in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab at the time. The matter was earlier pending at the stage of framing of charges before the Judicial Magistrate, Phagwara, before being transferred to Delhi.
The Supreme Court’s directions ensure that all proceedings arising from the incident—including the criminal trial, investigation-related petitions, and the MACT claim—will now be handled in Delhi for consistency and fairness.
