In his plea before the Supreme Court, the judge claimed that action was taken against him only for questioning the new evaluation system in place for promotions in the district judiciary.
The petitioner-judge had, after rounds of non-consideration for promotion as civil judge (senior division), written to the High Court to consider restoring seniority as a basis for such elevations.
“The Hon’ble High Court, merely for questioning the process of evaluation of judgements, straightaway issued show cause notice to the Petitioner and later suspended him without giving any reasons thereby failing in its constitutional obligation to guide and protect the judicial officers,” it is contended.
Interestingly, the petitioner had, in November 2021, convicted and sentenced a man to life imprisonment for sexual assault of a minor after having heard the case for one day.
In his plea before the top court, Rai alleged that he had received death threats after he passed that order.
It was also pointed out that the suspension order and pending disciplinary proceedings against him did not record any reasons and has led to mental pain “as he stands condemned for an action that otherwise garnered the praise of the State.”
Source: Barandbench
