HC junks plea by Nuapada judge challenging departmental action

Cuttack: Orissa high court dismissed a petition by a senior civil judge in Nuapada district challenging departmental proceedings against him observing that “merely because a complaint against a judicial officer is not supported by sworn affidavits, it does not automatically warrant an outright dismissal”.Khariar Judicial Bar Association in Nuapada district had raised serious concerns about judge Santosh Kumar Agarwal’s conduct and behaviour in a complaint before the HC chief justice on Jan 22, 2022. Agarwal challenged the departmental proceedings on the ground that it was contrary to the guidelines issued by the Chief Justice of India for dealing with complaints against subordinate judiciary as the Bar association’s complaint was not supported by sworn affidavits.The two-judge bench of Justices S K Sahoo and Chittaranjan Dash dismissed the plea saying, “While the CJI’s guideline aims to protect judicial officers from unwarranted harassment, it does not eliminate the possibility of addressing genuine issues faced by individuals or communities due to the actions of a judicial officer.” “In the comprehensive reading of the said guideline, what emerges is that a complaint is not supposed to be ignored from its very inception without even verifying the legitimacy of the complaint as nowhere in the guideline the high court is debarred from initiating its own enquiry over any complaint where the allegations prima facie reveals verifiable material supporting the complaint subject to an enquiry on the authenticity of the allegations against a concerned judicial officer,” the bench opined.

No prima facie offence of cheating against Kamala Mills owner: Judge

Kamala Mills compound owner Ramesh Gowani, accused of defrauding a businessman of Rs 67.5 crore, was granted bail by a sessions court. The judge noted that no prima facie cheating offence was established. Conditions include surrendering his passport and not leaving India. Gowani moved court after his plea was rejected by a magistrate earlier.

Pakistan: Karachi police files complaint with 'fabricated charges' against Baloch protestors

Pakistani defence forces intensified their crackdown on Baloch protesters, lodging false complaints against members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The curfew in Gwadar and Makuran has created severe shortages of food, medicine, and water. BYC claims state actions are punitive measures against peaceful protests, causing a humanitarian crisis in Balochistan.

Mercedes Mon threatens to file a police complaint against Britt Baker

After winning the AEW TBS Championship against Nyla Rose, Mercedes Mon was assaulted by Britt Baker disguised as a fan. Mon stated on Instagram that she plans to call the cops on Baker. This feud follows an earlier clash between them at Comic-Con. They are set to face off at Wembley Stadium for AEW All In on August 25th.

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