Background

The petitioner, a judicial officer, challenged a departmental charge-sheet alleging misconduct relating to the preparation of an acquittal judgment before the underlying criminal trial had concluded.

He argued that the departmental inquiry should remain stayed until completion of the criminal prosecution.

Court's Analysis

The Division Bench reiterated that courts ordinarily do not interfere at the stage of issuance of a charge-sheet unless exceptional circumstances exist.

It further held that the mere pendency of a criminal prosecution does not automatically require disciplinary proceedings to be stayed.

Integrity of Judiciary

The Court emphasised that allegations concerning judicial integrity require prompt examination through departmental proceedings and that public confidence in the justice delivery system must be preserved.

The Bench also found no material prejudice caused by the delay in issuing the charge-sheet.

Decision

Finding no legal infirmity in the initiation of disciplinary proceedings, the High Court dismissed the writ petition while clarifying that its observations would not influence the disciplinary inquiry.