The Punjab and Haryana High Court suspends the employment of a judicial official

Today, the Punjab and Haryana High Court suspended a judicial officer’s employment. The Punjab and Haryana High Court judges, together with Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, made the ruling.

According to the evidence that is now available, the judges suggested Rajiv Kumar Garg, a judicial official, have his services suspended. Garg was employed as a Judicial Magistrate First Class/Civil Judge (Junior Division) at Ludhiana.

It is said that during Acting Chief Justice Sandhawalia’s visit to Ludhiana the week before, Garg’s performance was scrutinized by the high court. During her court inspection, Justice Sandhawalia, the Administrative Judge for the Ludhiana Sessions Division, made notes on a number of problems, including court processes, record-keeping, and Garg’s performance of his duties.

The Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules and Article 235 of the Constitution were invoked by the Acting Chief Justice and Judges, who were “pleased” to suspend Rajiv Kumar Garg, the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Ludhiana, while disciplinary proceedings were being considered. The suspension order was issued later that evening.

During the suspension, Nawanshahr would serve as his headquarters. During that time, he would not leave the headquarters without the District and Sessions Judge’s prior approval. Garg would get dearness allowance along with subsistence allowance.

The case was first brought to the internal Vigilance Department of the high court, which then suggested that the judges hear it so that appropriate discussion and analysis could take place. Administratively, these concerns are routinely considered in “circulation” or full court meetings, which are actually attended by all of the high court’s justices.

The purpose of the proceedings is to address administrative concerns about the administration of justice, judicial officials who are part of the lower judiciary, and other relevant matters. Following these discussions, decisions are made on postings, promotions, transfers, and actions against judicial officials.

In addition to the ruling made today, the high court has suspended the employment of at least four judges since October of last year and fired at least two of them. The whole court has been firmly addressing issues such as corruption, lack of discipline, complacency, and other issues among the lower courts.