Delhi HC orders transfers, postings of 215 judicial officers

New Delhi, Nov 19 : In a major reshuffle in citys lower judiciary, the Delhi High Court has ordered the transfers and postings of 215 judicial officers with immediate effect, including those hearing cases related to Delhi riots or Tablighi Jamaat.

The orders issued by High Court Registrar General Manoj Jain on Wednesday listed the names of 168 judicial officers transferred and given new postings, and another 47 judicial officers who were posted as Metropolitan Magistrates (MMs).

Around 90 postings pertain to newly-inducted officers in Delhi Judicial Services.Purshotam Pathak, who was serving as Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) North East, has been promoted to the Delhi Higher Judicial Services (DHJS).

Pathak was hearing some of the cases relating to the riots and violence that erupted in Delhi in February 2020.Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gurmohina Kaur, who was hearing cases relating to foreign nationals who participated in congregations of Tabhlighi Jamaats Nizammudin Markaz, has also been transferred.

The transferred officials also included Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vishal Pahuja, hearing the defamation suit filed against journalist Priya Ramani by former Union Minister MJ Akbar.The case is in final stages of hearing.

ACMM-cum-Special MP/MLA court Judge Pahuja, till now posted at Rouse Avenue Court, has now been transferred to Karkardooma district courts as Senior Civil Judge-cum-Rent Controller.Recently, District and Sessions Judge, Rouse Avenue, had refused to transfer Akbars defamation case from the MP/MLA court.

Those posted as MMs will be assigned task of link duty, TIP, inquest proceedings, recording statements under Section 164 of the CrPC, besides administrative duties.