Today, On 17th December, Supreme Court declined to interfere with the suspension of Panna Principal District and Sessions Judge Rajaram Bharti after hearing his challenge to the temporary suspension order. The Chief Justice questioned why the order was passed just before retirement.
Suspended Principal District and Sessions Judge of Panna, Judge Rajaram Bharti, approached the Supreme Court challenging his temporary suspension from service.
His plea was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi.
Judge Bharti informed the Supreme Court that he later came to know that his suspension was allegedly linked to a judicial order passed by him.
The order had set aside a penalty imposed by the Panna Collector in an illegal mining case.
According to him, this judicial decision was cited as the reason behind his suspension.
Appearing for Judge Bharti, the counsel raised serious concerns before the Court and questioned whether a judicial order could form the basis of such disciplinary action.
The counsel submitted,
“Can a judicial order be the basis for such a suspension? At best, he could have been transferred to another place.”
Responding to the submissions, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant raised pointed questions regarding the circumstances under which the order was passed.
The CJI observed,
“Did he issue notice? What if a palpably incorrect order is passed? Why was this order passed just before retirement?”
After considering the submissions, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the suspension order at this stage.
However, the Court granted liberty to Judge Rajaram Bharti to submit a representation before the competent authority for appropriate consideration.
Earlier, The High Court has placed the Principal District and Sessions Judge of Panna, Rajaram Bharti, under suspension.
Previously, Panna Collector Suresh Kumar had levied a fine of more than one billion rupees on M/s Diamond Stone Crusher for alleged illegal mining activities.
The penalty was imposed after authorities took serious note of complaints relating to unlawful stone mining, relying on an inquiry report prepared by the Deputy Director of Mining Administration and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gunaur.
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