New Chief Justice withdraws pending charges against judicial officers

Nearly 250 judicial officers in various courts of Karnataka, who were facing disciplinary proceedings, have reason to heave a sigh of relief.

For, the newly appointed Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Paul Daniel Premkumar has ordered the withdrawal of charges against them.

Justice Premkumar said the withdrawal of charges against the judicial officers was his first decision taken as the new Chief Justice of Karnataka.

Announcing his decision at a function organized to felicitate him by the State Bar Council in Bangalore, Justice Premkumar said the decision had been taken after consulting all the judges. He said the decision will benefit the courts as well as the judicial officials.

“The decision to withdraw the disciplinary proceedings does not mean this is a soft step taken against the wrongdoers. It need not send a wrong signal”, he said.

Several of the judicial officers facing disciplinary proceedings continue to receive 50 per cent of their salaries even if they are not allowed to work in their official positions. The work in many courts across the state remained affected due to the absence of the officials. Besides, no prima facie case evidence had been found against a majority of the officials facing charges.