The bench stated “We want brilliant and bright officers. We know how rigorous the selection process is. They are assets. We need to mould them properly. As an institution, you should be large hearted, while dealing with these officers.”
New Delhi, March 17 – The Supreme Court has emphasized that judicial officers should be humble, polite, and exhibit a humane approach in their conduct.
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The observation was made by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh while hearing a case related to the termination of a judicial officer from Punjab Judicial Services.
The court directed the Punjab and Haryana High Court to provisionally reinstate judicial officer Nazmeen Singh. Her services were terminated following allegations of misconduct with doctors at the PGIMER Hospital in Chandigarh. However, the reinstatement is conditional.
She must submit an undertaking to the high court, assuring proper behavior towards bar members and others.
The bench remarked, “Institution should be large hearted.”
Highlighting the importance of nurturing judicial officers, the bench added,
“We want brilliant and bright officers. We know how rigorous the selection process is. They are assets. We need to mould them properly. As an institution, you should be large hearted, while dealing with these officers.”
The court took note of the increasing complaints about misconduct among judicial officers. Justice Surya Kant emphasized the need to sensitize officers about their responsibilities.
He stated,
“They do not behave properly with bar members, seniors or the litigants. I think we need to sensitise our officers about their conduct. I know of a case, where a magistrate was not behaving properly with the sessions judge. There is a need for some professional training before we hire them.”
The bench warned that improper behavior by judicial officers could tarnish the reputation of the judiciary. It also suggested that training at the judicial academy level might help improve conduct.
The bench added, “They should be humble, polite and have a humane approach while sitting on the other side of the dias.”
The court acknowledged the hard work and dedication of doctors at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Justice Surya Kant remarked, “I have been in Punjab and Haryana High Court and been to PGIMER, Chandigarh. They are doing tremendous work, round the clock. Unless you visit the hospital, you cannot imagine the work they do. Doctors are very senior and noble persons. Their work needs to be respected.”
The bench also suggested that Nazmeen Singh could be posted in Patiala, Punjab, where a senior woman judicial officer could oversee her conduct and support her professional development.
The matter has been posted for hearing after two weeks. The court has directed Nazmeen Singh to file her undertaking before the registrar general of the high court and submit a copy in the Supreme Court.
Earlier, on September 27, 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court reinstated her with all consequential benefits, citing violations of the principles of natural justice in her termination. She had qualified for the Punjab Civil Services Judicial Examination in 2015 and was appointed as a civil judge (junior division) or judicial magistrate in 2016. She served in Ludhiana and Chandigarh courts.
The issue originated in 2018 during her posting in Chandigarh. She was assigned by the chief judicial magistrate to conduct an inquest into the death of a prisoner at PGIMER, who died due to Asthma and AIDS. However, on July 31, 2018, members of the PGIMER medical board complained to the hospital director about her alleged misconduct. Following a high court enquiry, her services were terminated on April 9, 2021.
