In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the Allahabad High Court’s decision to compulsorily retire a judicial officer from Uttar Pradesh, affirming the need for higher ethical standards within the judiciary. The officer, Shobh Nath Singh, faced compulsory retirement due to an adverse service record, marking a significant affirmation of rigorous standards for judicial conduct.
Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, presiding over the bench, declared the appeal meritless, stating, “The High Court order does not call for any interference. We have to judge judges by a higher standard.” This statement came during their review of an appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s August 30 decision, which dismissed Singh’s challenge to his termination.
Shobh Nath Singh’s career in the Uttar Pradesh judicial services began in 2003 as an Additional Munsif and saw him promoted to Civil Judge – Senior Division by 2008. His record, however, was marred during 2010-2011 with negative remarks in his Annual Confidential Report, alongside oral complaints of dishonesty and corruption. Despite being suspended in October 2013 and facing disciplinary proceedings, Singh was cleared of all charges and reinstated in February 2014, retaining full back pay and allowances. Nevertheless, the negative remarks persisted on his record.
Further challenges arose in March 2017 when Singh was appointed Secretary of the Mahoba District Legal Services Authority. Following a transfer request citing health issues later that year, the District Judge noted negative comments about Singh’s performance, once again bringing his integrity into question. This led to his suspension in April 2019 and a chargesheet in July of the same year, though he was eventually exonerated in July 2020.
Despite his exoneration, the persistent concerns regarding his performance led the Administrative Committee of the High Court in September 2021 to recommend the premature termination of his services, a recommendation swiftly acted upon by the state government.
