Delhi judge transferred after anti-corruption body accuses him of taking bribes for bail

Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has transferred a special judge, months after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) flagged his involvement in cases related to bribes in return for bail for several accused.

In January this year, the ACB had said that they had proof of the special judge and the court clerk demanding bribes in return for bail for accused in several cases. However, in February, the court dismissed the accusation and said that the ACB does not have enough proof against the special judge.

"As of now, there is no sufficient material regarding the involvement of an officer (Special Judge) in the alleged incident. Accordingly, presently, there is no requirement to grant permission qua the said judicial officer. However, the investigating agency is at liberty to carry on with the investigation with respect to the complaints received. I am further directed to inform you that if, during the course of investigation, any material is collected which shows the involvement of the said judicial officer in the alleged incident, warranting action against him, the investigating agency is at liberty to make a fresh request to this court seeking appropriate permission qua the said Judicial Officer," the Registrar (Vigilance) of the Delhi High Court told ACB in a letter.

However, the court allowed ACB to carry on with its investigation and report back in case some substantial proof was found during the probe. On May 16, the ACB filed an FIR against the court clerk and also mentioned the Registrar's reply in the FIR, eventually leading to the transfer of the special judge on May 20.

ACB cited cases in which it was approached by the relatives of some accused, alleging that they were asked to pay bribes, ranging from Rs 15-20 lakhs to Rs 1 crore for bail proceedings.