District judge, south, Mohinder Virat, is suspended as a disciplinary proceeding is contemplated against him, the HC administration said in an order issued Tuesday. New Delhi: Delhi High Court has suspended a district judge with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings.
He joined Delhi Judicial Service on March 6, 2003, and began his career as a civil judge at Karkardooma in Aug 2003, serving in the position until July 2007. In 2010, he was appointed full-time secretary of District Legal Services Authority, south west, on deputation. He later served in Patiala House and Rohini courts and was promoted to Delhi Higher Judicial Service in Jan 2014.
However, sources confirmed that the action had been taken over a recent incident involving the judge at a public place, of which there might also be CCTV footage.
“It is further ordered that during the period that this order shall remain in force, the headquarters of Mohinder Virat shall be the office of principal district & sessions judge, south, Saket,” the order says, adding that Virat shall not leave Delhi without obtaining permission of the competent authority. After the details were conveyed to the higher authorities, a decision to suspend the judicial officer was taken, they said. He was appointed district judge, south, Saket, in Aug this year. In July, the high court administration had suspended judge Veena Rani and fellow judge Vinay Singhal following a full court meeting. Singhal was suspended after a vigilance probe led the then Chief Justice to act against allegations of misconduct in the process of appointing court auctioneers.
The latest suspension comes months after the high court suspended two judicial officers in quick succession after finding prima facie evidence of misconduct against them earlier this year.