Patna HC Judge Relieved of Cases After He Criticised Colleagues

Kumar said that a “corrupt officer” like Ramaiah was granted bail as his case was heard by a vacation judge.

All cases have been withdrawn from Patna High Court judge Rakesh Kumar on Wednesday, 28 August, who slammed other judges and the high court administration publicly while hearing a corruption case against a former IAS officer.

“All matters pending before Justice Rakesh Kumar, sitting singly including tired up/part heard or otherwise stand withdrawn with immediate effect,” the notice issued by the Patna High Court Chief Justice stated in the notice issued on the same day, reported ANI.

Kumar, while hearing the bail plea of corruption-accused former IAS officer KP Ramaiah, had questioned how he was granted bail by a lower court when the high court and Supreme Court had rejected his request for protection from arrest because of the seriousness of the allegations.

Ramaiah is accused of embezzling over Rs 5 crore from Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission which is a government scheme for backward castes.

After his pre-arrest bail request was dismissed by the high court and the apex court, he surrendered before the lower court, which granted him bail in May.

Kumar said that a “corrupt officer” like Ramaiah was granted bail because his case was heard by a vacation judge instead of a regular judge of the Vigilance Court. The regular judge was unavailable for the day.

Kumar Also Accuses Judges of ‘Leniency’

He further alleged that whenever a case of any judge from the lower judiciary came up, the full bench of the Patna High Court had been lenient.

“Despite my opposition, a judge facing serious charges was let off with minor punishment instead of exemplary punishment,” said Justice Kumar in his order, according to NDTV.

Continuing his attack, he had also remarked that crores of rupees were spent on the furnishings of judges' homes from the taxpayer's money.

The judge, while making such comments, had ordered a copy of his order to be served to the Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister's Office and the Union Law Ministry. But after the decision to take away his cases was announced, the copy of the judgement delivered by Kumar was also withdrawn.

Kumar has practiced in the Patna High Court for nearly 26 years on criminal and constitutional side, stated the court's website.

(With inputs from ANI, NDTV)