After Staging Dharna Outside MP HC, ADJ Plans Cycle Yatra To Protest “Injustice Meted Out To Him”

Additional District Judge R.K. Sriwas, who had earlier staged a dharna outside the Madhya Pradesh High Court, has now decided undertake a cycle yatra from Neemuch, his last posting, to Jabalpur, where the principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court sits.

Last week, Mr. Sriwas had staged a dharna outside the High Court against being transferred 4 times within a period of 15 months, but agreed to join work at Neemuch. He was, however, placed under suspension barely four hours of assuming office. According to High Court Principal Registrar S.K. Singh, the suspension was recommended by High Court’s Administrative Committee.

“I will decide about the dates of cycle yatra soon after seeking a permission from my headquarters regarding the cycle yatra. I will fight till I get justice,” Mr. Sriwas was thereafter quoted as saying.

He has alleged that the Government actions violate the transfer policy, and had told Free Press, “Supreme Court guideline has not been followed. As per the guideline, annual confidential report (ACR) copies should be distributed free of cost to employees concerned but in Madhya Pradesh, it is not being done which is gross violation of SC guideline of 2008 and 2013. It is, in fact, contempt of Supreme Court. Second, ACR is not always written on the basis of fair assessment. It is on the wish and will of higher-ups. So my protest is not only for transfer policy but also for the said factors which have plagued the judiciary system of the state. I raised this issue before CJI and Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh but no action was taken. So I disclosed it to media a couple of days ago.”

Registrar General MF Anwar had, however, refuted the allegations, saying that the ADJ was reassigned from Dhar to Shahdol on completion of three-year tenure. Thereafter, unwarranted letter writing by him during the postings had resulted in a departmental inquiry against him.

“Being a native of Malwa region, he desired to be shifted there. Considering that, he was moved to Neemuch. He shall be subjected to disciplinary action,” the Registrar General was further quoted as saying.