HC directs UP to appoint man accused of sedition and acquitted later as judge

HE HAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE HIGHER JUDICIAL EXAMINATION IN 2017

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PRAYAGRAJ/KANPUR (UP): The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint as additional district judge a man who was denied appointment on the ground that he had faced two trials regarding alleged charges of spying for Pakistan as well as for sedition.

The court asked the state to issue appointment letter to petitioner Pradeep Kumar by January 15, 2025. He had successfully passed the higher judicial examination in 2017.

Passing the order on a writ petition filed by Kumar, a two-judge bench comprising justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh observed, "The petitioner was 'honourably acquitted' at two criminal trials faced by him and no element of truth was found in the prosecution story, in either case."

"In view of the above, the writ petition must succeed. It is allowed. Mandamus is issued to the state government to ensure character verification of the petitioner within a period of two weeks. Consequentially, upon completion of all formalities, appointment letter may be issued to the petitioner not later than 15th January 2025. The petitioner may be appointed against existing vacancies, as on date," the court added.