Jammu and Kashmir High Court has upheld the termination of a sub-judge on the charges of misconduct, breach of judicial discipline, misuse of authority and dereliction of duty.

The judicial officers have a divine job to discharge. A single bench of the High Court headed by Justice Yaqboob Mir said in the order whenever  a deviation is noticed to be dangerous, removal of deviator becomes imperative. Upholding the termination of sub-judge Vijay Kumar Attari, he said it became imperative to maintain the magnificence of the institution, lest tremendous faith reposed by the public in it would get eroded.

The High Court ordered an inquiry into the allegations against Attari in 1994 after allegation of corruption against him. He was accused of having deposited Rs 1200 against Rs 2500 challan money recovered from a mini bus driver when at Leh in 1993-94. He was also found absent from duty for months whereas he had applied only for 15 days leave.

After  the allegations were found correct by the inquiry committee. Attari was immediately placed under suspension and a show cause notice was issued.

The Full Court considered the inquiry report and observed that Attari was not a fit person to be retained in service and should be terminated. The Court removed him from service on August 29, 2000.However, Attari filed writ petition in the High Court against the order. In August 2009, the single bench quashed the order and directed that the judge be reinstated.

Report by Maria Roy