Delhi High Court Suspends Two Judicial Officers, Orders Disciplinary Proceedings Over Alleged Misconduct
The Delhi High Court suspended judicial officers Veena Rani and Vinay Singhal and initiated disciplinary proceedings over separate allegations of misconduct
The Delhi High Court has suspended two judicial officers, Veena Rani and Vinay Singhal, after finding prima facie material indicating misconduct against them and initiating disciplinary proceedings.
In an order dated July 15, which was made public on Friday, the High Court administration placed Veena Rani under suspension with immediate effect. The decision, along with the suspension of fellow judicial officer Vinay Singhal on July 10, was taken by the Full Court in separate administrative resolutions.
The Full Court also resolved to initiate disciplinary inquiries against both officers.
Veena Rani's suspension stems from long-pending allegations relating to "forum shopping" in intellectual property rights (IPR) cases.
Her name had figured in a 2018 order of the Delhi High Court, where a Division Bench took cognizance of allegations that certain litigants repeatedly sought to have their IPR suits listed before specific trial court judges. The Bench had directed that suits filed by those parties should not be listed before Veena Rani and two other judicial officers, who have since retired.
Subsequently, in 2019, a Bench led by Justice Manmohan, now a Judge of the Supreme Court, directed the High Court Registry to place the matter before the then Chief Justice on the administrative side for an inquiry into the allegations.
The Bench had observed that if the allegations were found to be correct, appropriate action should be taken in accordance with law.
Following the court's directions, the High Court administration initiated an internal inquiry, which has now culminated in the decision to commence disciplinary proceedings against Veena Rani.
Judicial officer Vinay Singhal was suspended following a vigilance inquiry into allegations of misconduct relating to the appointment of court auctioneers.
The Full Court resolution stated that disciplinary proceedings against Singhal were under contemplation and ordered that he be placed under suspension with immediate effect.
During the suspension period, both judicial officers will remain attached to their respective District Judge offices and will not be permitted to leave the station without prior permission from the competent authority.
[Source: TOI]