Expressing serious concern over repeated recusals by four judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a case filed by a former judicial officer challenging his dismissal from service, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said “three or four so-called senior advocates are creating havoc” in the high court.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observation after petitioner-in-person Amrish Kumar Jain said four HC Benches had recused themselves from hearing his case. Jain sought transfer of his case.
“I know there are three-four senior advocates who are involved in this kind of thing. I am closely watching the thing. The three or four so-called senior advocates are creating havoc. Better you argue yourself,” the CJI said.
“I will ask the Chief Justice (of the high court) to constitute a Bench. The moment you try to play any mischief, serious consequences will be there. We will monitor the matter from here,” the CJI said.
The petitioner said Justice Lisa Gill first recused and thereafter the then Chief Justice recused after reserving the matter, followed by Justice Ashwini Kumar Mishra and Justice Dipak Sibal.
He said his applications for the release of pension and General Provident Fund (GPF) dues had also not been considered.
Finally, the top court requested the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to constitute a Division Bench to hear the matter. “The learned judges are advised not to recuse in the matter, irrespective of the situations that may be created by anyone,” it said.
Directing the matter to be heard on a day-to-day basis beginning July 13, the top court asked the high court’s Registrar General to send a compliance report to it.
