Judge Alleging Wrongful Transfers Ends Dharna Outside Madhya Pradesh High Court

Additional District Judge R.K. Sriwas, who had staged a dharna outside the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur for the last two days against his ‘wrongful’ transfers, ended his protest on Thursday.

“I have ended my sit-in. But it doesn't mean my fight for justice has ended… If some disciplinary action is taken against me, I will restart my protest and knock on the Supreme Court's door,” Mr. Sriwas was quoted as saying.

Mr. Sriwas was protesting against being transferred 4 times within a period of 15 months. He had alleged that the Government actions violated 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.