SC fumes as judge skips court to attend hearing

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 1

Taking exception to a subordinate court judge from Delhi skipping his court to appear before the apex court in a case relating to his own service, the Supreme Court on Wednesday termed it a “sorry state of affairs”.

“It’s 10.50 am and you are here. We don’t even see you repenting,” a Bench led by Justice LN Rao said even as the judge clarified that he had taken a short leave for the purpose.

Noting that he was being represented by senior counsel PS Patwalia, the Bench said, “You are represented by a competent lawyer. This does not augur well for the system. Really, it’s a sorry state of affairs.”

The judicial officer, who was aggrieved by an order disallowing Delhi Judicial Service officers to appear for departmental examination to be selected as additional district judge without having five-year experience, left the hearing after the adverse comments made by the top court.