Judicial officers are held to a strict standard of integrity, and misconduct, including attempts to influence judicial proceedings, justifies removal from service after a fair inquiry process.

JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Sri Ashok Khare, learned Senior Advocate, assisted by Sri Aditendra Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner; Sri Ashish Mishra, learned counsel for the High Court and Sri Nimai Das, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the State-respondents.

2. The present writ petition has been filed to assail the penalty order passed by the State Government dated 16.04.2021, communicated to the petitioner by the Registrar(J)(Confidential), High Court Allahabad vide letter dated 28.05.2021. Thereby, the petitioner -then serving as Additional District & Sessions Judge, Lalitpur has been removed from service, with immediate effect. The petitioner was appointed to the Uttar Pradesh Civil Service (Judicial) in the year 2001. In 2013, he was promoted and thus appointed to the Uttar Pradesh Higher Judicial Service. While serving as Additional District & Sessions Judge, Meerut, first Charge Sheet dated 08.08.2016 was issued to the petitioner. Again, on 20.03.2017 a second Charge Sheet was issued to the petitioner.

3. The first Charge Sheet dated 08.08.2016 led to institution of Departmental Inquiry No. 21 of 2015, on the following four charges :

"1. That you with the help of your younger brother Sri Raj Kumar Sirohi, the then Civil Judge (Junior Division)/Judicial Magistrate, Meerut and other family members demanded dowry as a condition for your brother's marriage with Dr. Muskan Sirohi D/o Ummed Singh (W/o Sri Raj Kumar Sirohi). Part of the demand for dowry was also fulfilled. You and your brother continued to press the demand of dowry even after marriage so much so that Sri Raj Kumar Sirohi deserted his wife for non-fulfillment of dowry demand. The demand and receipt of dowry for marriage of your brother with Dr. Muskan Sirohi is a misconduct within the meaning of Rule 11A of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant Rules, 1956.

Thus, you have committed misconduct within the meaning of Rule 11-A read with Rule 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956.

2.That on 26.06.2014, during the course of reconciliation meeting between the family members of Dr. Muskan Sirohi with you and your younger brother Sri Raj Kumar Sirohi, you self inflicted an injury on your left hand, as a conspiracy to involve Dr. Muskan Sirohi and her family members in a criminal case. In furtherance thereof your wife Smt. Meghana Sirohi lodged an FIR against Dr. Muskan Sirohi and her family members being Case Crime No. 472 of 2014, U/s 395, 397 IPC at P.S. Medical College, Meerut.

Thus, you have acted in a manner which is unbecoming of a Judicial Officer. Further, you have misused your authority as a Judicial Officer and failed to maintain absolute integrity. Thus, you have committed misconduct within the meaning of Rule 3 of the Uttar Prad