Himachal Pradesh Judge Dismissed From Service For Taking Bribe

The Himachal Pradesh government has dismissed a judicial officer from service on the recommendation of the Himachal Pradesh High Court pursuant to an enquiry by the High Court which found him guilty of corruption.

The Governor of Himachal Pradesh passed the order dismissing Civil Judge cum Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Gaurav Sharma who had been found guilty of taking a bribe to the tune of Rs. 40,000 from a local resident.

"The Governor, Himachal Pradesh having considered the recommendations of the High Court and in exercise of the powers vested in him under Clause (ix) of Rule 11 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 and all other powers enabling him in this behalf, hereby orders dismissal of Sh. Gaurav Sharma from the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Services with immediate effect", the notification dated November 25 read.

The inquiry report stipulated that two cases pertaining to cheque bounce under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act were pending in Sharma's Court when he was posted as the ACJM Sundernagar in the year 2017. Thereafter he had demanded money for settlement of those cases. Consequently, the concerned person had filed a complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Opining on the punishment imposed, the notification further stated,

'As a result of the inquiry, all the charges have been proved and the High Court has decided to recommend that the punishment of dismissal from service which shall ordinarily be a disqualification for future employment under the Government, as defined in clause (ix) of Rule 11 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 be imposed upon Sh. Gaurav Sharma, Senior Civil Judge (under suspension)"

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