Supreme Court refuses to revoke compulsory retirement of Uttar Pradesh judge

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to revoke an order of premature compulsory retirement issued by the Allahabad High Court against a judicial officer from Uttar Pradesh (UP) with an adverse service record [Shobh Nath Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Another]

A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti stressed that the standards to judge judicial officers are higher and judges have to live up to those standards.

"The [Allahabad] High Court order does not call for any interference. We have to judge judges by a higher standard. No merit in the appeal. Dismissed," the Court ordered.

The Bench was hearing an appeal against an August 30 verdict of the High Court dismissing the plea by judicial officer Shobh Nath Singh against his termination.

Singh had initially moved the High Court challenging the validity of an office memorandum issued by the State of UP to retire him prematurely, as well as an official letter recommending the same.

He had joined the State's judicial services in 2003 as an Additional Munsif, and was promoted to to Civil Judge - Senior Division in 2008.

In the year 2010-2011, he received adverse remarks in his Annual Confidential Report along with oral complaints regarding alleged dishonesty and corruption.

He was suspended in October 2013 and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him though he was exonerated of all charges in the complaints.

He resumed service in February 2014 with full back-wages and allowances for the suspended period but the adverse remarks were not removed.

In March 2017, he was appointed as Secretary of the Mahoba District Legal Services Authority but due to medical issues sought a transfer later that year.

The District Judge there subsequently made adverse remarks against him in the Annual Confidential Report that year, questioning his integrity.

This led to departmental proceedings against him and he was suspended in April 2019 with a chargesheet being issued in July that year. He was later exonerated in July 2020 .

In September 2020, he wrote a representation against the Mahoba district judge's adverse remarks against him. The Administrative Committee of the High Court that year found his performance average but found nothing against his integrity.

However, the High Court recommended to the State government to prematurely terminate his services in September 2021 which the latter immediately did.

Aggrieved, Singh approached the High Court which rejected his plea.

This prompted to him move the Supreme Court.