HC orders CBI probe into litigant’s claim he is HC judge

Madurai: Madras high court has ordered a CBI probe to verify the genuineness of documents produced by a litigant who claimed to be a sitting judge of Punjab & Haryana high court and also a practising advocate before various courts.The court passed the order on Tuesday while dismissing a petition filed in 2014 by Cap Dr V R C Pandiyan seeking a direction to Sidco to execute a sale deed in his favour with respect to a shed in the industrial estate at Keela Nagachi at Uchippuli in Ramanathapuram district. The petitioner claimed to be an entrepreneur and Guinness record holder with several degrees to his credit.Justice B Pugalendhi took note of the submission of the authorities that the petitioner had intimidated them by sending representations to the chief secretary and other officials. In e-mails sent to the authorities, he mentioned that he is a judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court. When the court asked the petitioner about it, he claimed that the Government of India has appointed him as an additional judge of the high court. “He has also shown a copy of a notification dated September 19, 2021, in his mobile phone,” observed the judge.The judge observed that pursuant to the direction of this court, the registry has taken a printout of the notification and prepared a certificate as required under Section 65B of the Evidence Act, 1872. A plain reading of the notification creates suspicion over its genuineness. Moreover, the petitioner himself has enclosed an experience certificate dated October 25, 2023 issued by Madras High Court Advocates’ Association as per which he is practising as an advocate before Supreme Court and other high courts. The certificate further reads that he has 10 years of active practice in civil matters, observed the judge.On the one hand, the petitioner claims to be a practising advocate and on the other, a sitting high court judge. Hence the judge observed that the notification dated September 19, 2021 needs to be investigated. The judge directed the superintendent of police, CBI, Madurai, to register a case and conduct the investigation after collecting the mobile phone and certificate from the high court registry. The investigation officer should ascertain the genuineness of the notification and proceed in accordance with law, by taking appropriate action against those responsible for fabrication of the alleged notification. The officer shall also verify as to whether the petitioner has availed any benefits out of this alleged notification at any point of time.