Justice Pankaj Bhatia Asks Allahabad HC Chief Justice to Relieve Him of Bail Roster After SC’s ‘Shocking’ Remarks on His Bail Order

Justice Pankaj Bhatia of the Allahabad High Court today requested the Chief Justice not to assign him the bail roster in future, stating that recent observations made by the Supreme Court in a recent matter have had a “demoralising and chilling effect” on him.

The request came in an order passed in a criminal misc bail application arising out of a case registered at Sammanpur police station in Ambedkar Nagar district under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 4/25 of the Arms Act. This was the second bail plea moved by the accused. The first application had been rejected on November 3, 2025.

As per the applicable circular, the second bail application was placed before the bench of Justice Bhatia. However, during the hearing, Justice Bhatia's attention was drawn to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in Chetram Verma vs State of U.P., where a bail order passed by Justice Bhatia in a dowry death case was set aside.

In that judgment, the Supreme Court described the impugned order as “one of the most shocking and disappointing orders” it had come across over a period of time. The Apex Court observed that the high court had merely recorded the submissions of the defence and granted bail on the grounds that the accused was in jail since July 27, 2025 and had no criminal history, without adequately explaining the exercise of discretion in a serious offence like dowry death. The Supreme Court also directed that a copy of its order be forwarded to the Registrar General of the high court to be placed before the Chief Justice.

Referring to those observations, Justice Bhatia recorded that while no judge can claim that his orders are never set aside or interfered with, and though he himself felt that the earlier bail order was apparently open to interference, the remarks made in paragraphs 4 and 29 of the Supreme Court judgment had a “huge demoralising and chilling effect” on him.

“In view thereof, I do not deem it appropriate to hear the present bail application,” the order states.

The judge accordingly released the bail plea to be placed before the Chief Justice for assignment to another bench. He further requested that the bail roster not be assigned to him in future.

Case Title: Rakesh Tiwari vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Secy. Deptt. Of Home Lko.

Order Date: February 13, 2026

Bench: Justice Pankaj Bhatia