38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, October 09, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

SC recalls order against HC judge on taking away criminal roster

By Jhanak Sharma      08 August, 2025 12:43 PM      0 Comments
SC recalls order against HC judge on taking away criminal roster

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday recalled its unprecedented order to remove Justice Prashant Kumar of the Allahabad High Court from criminal roster till his retirement and to make him sit with a seasoned senior judge in division bench, upon a request from Chief Justice of India B R Gavai.

The top court, however, maintained the order passed by Justice Kumar allowing criminal proceedings in a civil dispute, was "not just an error on the part of the judge" but it was concerned with the dignity of institution to be maintained.

Acting on a letter received from Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said its intention in passing August 4, 2025 was not to cause embarrassment or cast aspersions on the concerned judge.

"However, when the matters cross a threshold and the dignity of the institution is in peril, it becomes the constitutional duty of the court to intervene even in the appellate jurisdiction," the bench said.

Justice Kumar suffered the adverse order from the Supreme Court after he allowed criminal proceedings in a case related to non payment of balance amount for supply of goods, saying it would take years to recover the money in a civil suit.

In its August 4 order, the apex court said, passing of such absurd and erroneous orders by the HC judge is something unpardonable.

"The Chief Justice of High Court shall immediately withdraw the present criminal determination from the concerned judge. The Chief Justice shall make the concerned judge sit in a division bench with a seasoned senior judge of the High Court," the bench had said.

The court had further directed that the concerned judge would not be assigned any criminal determination, till he demits office.

On August 8, 2025, while deleting the twin directions on a request from the CJI, the bench pointed out the High Courts are not separate islands that can be disassociated from the institution.

"Whatever we said in our order was to ensure that the dignity of the judiciary is held high. It is not just a matter of error or mistake to appreciate the legal points we were concerned about the appropriate directions in a view to protect the honour of the institution," the bench said.

Holding the HC's order was "illegal and perverse", the court left it the Chief Justice of the HC to consider the matter.

"We fully acknowledge that the Chief Justice of the HC is the master of the roaster. The directions are absolutely not interfering with the administrative power of the Chief Justice of the High Court," the bench said.

The court emphasised that when matters affect the rule of law this court will be compelled to take corrective steps.

In its previous order, the bench had pointed out it was constrained to issue the directions, keeping in mind that the instant order was not the only erroneous order of the concerned judge that it has looked into for the first time.

"Many such erroneous orders have been looked into by us over a period of time," the bench said.

The High Court had on May 5, 2025 rejected a plea for quashing criminal proceedings pending before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-I, Kanpur Nagar for a balance payment of goods supplied to accused M/s Shikhar Chemicals.

Considering the challenge to the HC's order, the top court had noted the case of the complainant, was plain and simple. He claimed to be an unpaid seller. He delivered goods in the form of thread to the petitioner worth Rs 52,34,385, out of which an amount of Rs 47,75,000. However, the balance amount has not been paid, till this date. He tried to lodge an FIR but the police declined it due to civil nature of the dispute.

The Magistrate unfortunately remained unmindful of the fact that even as per the complainant’s own say the case is one of sale of goods and recovery of some balance amount, the bench said.

The court, however, said it was not surprised with the Magistrate exhibiting a complete ignorance of law but the most disturbing part of the case was the manner in which the High Court dealt with quashing petition.

In the most damning observations, the bench had then said, "The judge concerned has not only cut a sorry figure for himself but has made a mockery of justice. We are at our wits’ end to understand what is wrong with the Indian Judiciary at the level of High Court. At times we are left wondering whether such orders are passed on some extraneous considerations or it is sheer ignorance of law."

Disclaimer: This content is produced and published by LawStreet Journal Media for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The views expressed are independent of any legal practice of the individuals involved.



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

On April 18, 2020, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for three High Courts. Justice Dipankar Datta was proposed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, succeeding Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari. Justice Biswanath Somadder was nominated as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, while Justice Mohammad Rafiq was recommended for transfer as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

TRENDING NEWS

pmla-appellate-tribunal-orders-immediate-release-of-seized-bmw-x7-in-hemant-soren-land-scam-case
Trending Crime, Police And Law
PMLA appellate tribunal orders immediate release of seized BMW X7 in Hemant Soren land scam case [Read Order]

PMLA tribunal orders ED to release seized BMW X7 in Hemant Soren land scam case, citing lack of proof linking the luxury car to money laundering.

08 October, 2025 08:06 PM
offence-under-category-of-upholding-family-prestige-sc-orders-release-of-man-on-remission
Trending Judiciary
'Offence under category of upholding family prestige,' SC orders release of man on remission [Read Judgment]

SC orders immediate release of life convict who served 22 years for a murder committed to uphold family honour, citing Maharashtra remission guidelines.

08 October, 2025 08:19 PM

TOP STORIES

allahabad-hc-refuses-interim-protection-to-sambhal-mosque-asks-petitioners-to-approach-appellate-court
Trending Judiciary
Allahabad HC Refuses Interim Protection to Sambhal Mosque, Asks Petitioners to Approach Appellate Court [Read Order]

Allahabad High Court refused interim protection to Sambhal mosque, directing petitioners to seek remedy before the appellate court under UP Revenue Code.

06 October, 2025 04:48 PM
calling-off-marriage-after-courtship-not-a-crime-or-breach-of-promise-delhi-hc
Trending Judiciary
Calling Off Marriage After Courtship Not A Crime Or Breach Of Promise: Delhi HC [Read Order]

Delhi High Court grants bail, ruling that ending marriage plans after courtship is not a breach of promise or offence under false promise to marry.

06 October, 2025 05:03 PM
celebrating-bail-on-social-media-not-ground-for-cancellation-without-specific-threat-to-complainant-delhi-hc
Trending Judiciary
Celebrating Bail On Social Media Not Ground For Cancellation Without Specific Threat To Complainant: Delhi HC [Read Order]

Delhi HC rules that celebrating bail on social media isn’t grounds for cancellation unless a specific threat or intimidation is proven.

06 October, 2025 05:25 PM
woman-cannot-claim-maintenance-after-securing-rape-conviction-against-live-in-partner-jammu-and-kashmir-hc
Trending Judiciary
Woman Cannot Claim Maintenance After Securing Rape Conviction Against Live-In Partner: Jammu & Kashmir HC [Read Order]

J&K High Court held that a woman who secured a rape conviction against her live-in partner cannot claim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC.

06 October, 2025 06:08 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email