Training for Judges
New Delhi
The Supreme Court has directed two Delhi judicial officers to undergo mandatory seven-day training at the Delhi Judicial Academy after identifying “serious lapses” in bail orders in a Rs 1.9 crore fraud case. The directive followed the court’s decision to allow the appeal of M/S Netsity Systems Pvt Ltd, quashing bail previously granted to accused couple Shiksha Rathore and her husband.
The apex court criticized the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) for granting bail in November 2023 despite prior High Court orders rejecting anticipatory bail, and the sessions judge for failing to intervene. Justice Amanullah, authoring the verdict, described the ACMM’s reasoning—that custodial interrogation was unnecessary since the chargesheet was filed—as “untenable” and bordering on perversity.
The court asked the Delhi High Court chief justice to ensure the officers receive targeted training on judicial procedures, particularly in handling superior court directions and evaluating their weight. The judge chairing the Judicial Education & Training Programme Committee is to be apprised of the order.
The Supreme Court also criticized the investigating officer’s conduct, directing the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a personal inquiry and take necessary action. The ACMM was instructed to expedite the trial and conclude proceedings promptly.
The case, originating from a 2017 complaint, revealed that the accused had taken Rs 1.9 crore for a land deal already mortgaged and sold to a third party. Despite repeated interim bail rejections and mediation commitments, the couple secured bail due to procedural oversights, prompting the apex court’s intervention to reinforce judicial accountability and proper adherence to due process.
