Patna High Court: Judicial work reassigned to Whistleblower senior judge Rakesh Kumar

Justice Rakesh Kumar made headlines after he directed CBI probe into corruption allegations in lower judiciary on 28th August. The second senior most judge of the Patna High Court expressed his deep concerns on the grant of bail to the alleged IAS officer K P Ramaiah, in a corruption case by a judge of Vigilance Court on the same day of surrendering, after being denied of an anticipatory bail by the High Court. He also made some remarks on the failure of understanding standards of honesty by his high court colleagues.

“It has been noticed that instead of discharging duty, we are more indulged in enjoying privileges” said Justice Rakesh Kumar.

An order to withdraw all kinds of judicial work from Senior Judge Rakesh Kumar was issued by the CJ of Patna High Court A P Sahi on 29th August, after an outbreak of anger by fellow judges.

An 11- judge bench of the Patna High Court on 29th August held that the order passed by the Senior Justice Rakesh Kumar is an attack on judicial hierarchy, integrity and majesty of court, and stands suspended. “A sudden leap in the sky through an approach of gaining fellow pages fame appears to be one of the motives behind the pronouncement.” said the bench.

Justice Rakesh Kumar was reassigned work on the 2nd September, 2019 with an order, issued by the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. The notice stated that he will be sitting for adjudication of different matters like service, Anganwadi and Taxation matters.