Bihar Judge Suspended for Swift Judgments Seeks Supreme Court Intervention
The Indian judiciary is often criticized for slow case disposal, with millions of cases pending nationwide. However, in a surprising turn of events, a Bihar district judge, S.K. Rai, claims he was suspended for delivering judgments at unprecedented speed. On July 27, he approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the Patna High Court suspended him for completing trials in two POCSO cases within one and four days, respectively, and imposing life and death sentences.
The Supreme Court Plea
Represented by senior advocate Vikas Singh, Judge Rai has requested the Supreme Court to take up his petition urgently. Singh highlighted that the judge’s suspension is linked to his swift disposal of cases and a request for retrospective promotion. However, the petition also points to a long-standing dispute over promotions and performance evaluations, which complicates the narrative.
Background of the Case
Judge S.K. Rai joined the Bihar Judicial Services as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) in 2007, ranking seventh among 318 candidates. While working in Jehanabad, he was considered for promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division). However, the promotion was initially denied, reportedly due to issues with judgment writing.
Despite this setback, Rai was promoted the following year based on the same judgments that had previously raised concerns. In 2018-19, he was promoted to the post of District Judge.
Promotion Dispute
In December 2020, Rai submitted a representation to the Patna High Court, requesting his promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division) be backdated to 2013-14 instead of 2014-15. He argued that the delay made him junior to his peers and even some juniors. However, the High Court rejected his plea in September 2021 and issued a show-cause notice, questioning his conduct for raising concerns about bias in the evaluation process.
Was the Suspension Due to Swift Judgments?
While Rai claims his suspension stems from delivering speedy judgments in POCSO cases, the High Court’s actions seem to be part of an ongoing evaluation of his professional conduct and promotion disputes.
Conclusion
The case highlights the challenges within the Indian judicial system, where efficiency and procedural integrity often collide. As the Supreme Court reviews this matter, it may provide insights into balancing justice delivery speed with adherence to procedural norms.
Summary
Case Title: S.K. Rai vs. Patna High Court
Judge S.K. Rai from Bihar claims he was suspended for delivering fast-track judgments in POCSO cases and has approached the Supreme Court for justice. This case underscores the complexities of judicial evaluations and promotions in India.
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