The Supreme Court has given its nod for the transfer of the Additional District and Sessions Judge at Panchkula, whose residence was recently raided by the sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Raids were recently conducted at the house of Panchkula ADSJ Sudhir Parmar, who was presiding over a special court set up to expeditiously try corruption and criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.
Soon after the news broke out, the Punjab and Haryana High Court sought permission from the Supreme Court to transfer the judicial officer to some other place.
The Apex Court had earlier directed the States to set up special courts to speed up trial in criminal and corruption cases against elected representatives, after observing that many representatives, on account of their money and muscle power, delayed trials for decades to escape conviction and possible disqualification from contesting elections.
The top court of the country had further directed that a judicial officer would not be transferred without completing his/her normal tenure at a place of posting.
In view of this order, the High Court sought permission to transfer the ADSJ.
Appearing before the Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Advocate Ashok Mathur contended that though the normal tenure of ADSJ Parmar has not been completed, keeping in view the gravity and seriousness of the matter, the High Court intended to transfer the said judicial officer.
It gave an undertaking that the Additional and Sessions Court would be provided with a substitute judicial officer immediately.
The Apex Court sought the views of Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, who concurred with the request of the HC. It then allowed the application.