Mumbai: Dilip Ghumare, the state law secretary, issued an unconditional apology to the Bombay High Court on Friday. This apology follows his recent outburst during a hearing concerning a public interest litigation (PIL) focused on the establishment of fast-track courts. Ghumare’s remarks had drawn significant attention, prompting the need for this formal acknowledgment of his conduct in court.
On Thursday, his advocate told the SC he had apologised and subsequently sought voluntary retirement and is serving a 3-month notice period nearly 1000 km away in a Naxal-affected region. However, the SC refused to stay the HC order but issued notices on Ghumare’s appeal and restrained the HC from passing a final order in the contempt proceedings until Sept 28, when it would hear the matter next. The HC judges, considering that the apex court is seized of the matter, adjourned the hearing to Oct 6.
On Sept 1, the HC issued a contempt notice against Ghumare, who is also a senior legal adviser in the law and judiciary department, for allegedly blaming the HC administration “in a high-pitched voice (bordering on shouting)” for not filling up 179 posts. Ghumare’s advocate submitted his affidavit to Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata. Thereafter, Ghumare challenged the HC’s order in the Supreme Court .