Madras HC judge recuses amid ₹50 lakh bribe allegation against senior advocate
A Madras High Court judge, Justice M. Nirmal Kumar, recused himself from a case following allegations that a senior advocate accepted ₹50 lakh from a client to bribe the judge. The High Court has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the matter and referred it to the Chief Justice. The senior advocate has denied the allegations.
Key Highlights
- Judge recuses due to bribery allegations involving ₹50 lakh.
- Vigilance inquiry ordered into the senior advocate's conduct.
- Senior advocate denies accepting money to bribe a judge.
- Allegations arose from a representation by the All India Lawyers' Association for Justice.
- Case linked to an Rs 89.90 crore CBI gold fraud investigation.
A significant development has occurred at the Madras High Court, where Justice M. Nirmal Kumar has recused himself from hearing a case due to serious allegations of corruption. The allegations, brought forth by the All India Lawyers' Association for Justice (AILAJ) through a representation to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, claim that a senior advocate involved in the case accepted ₹50 lakh from a client with the promise of bribing the judge for a favorable order. The representation further stated that despite the payment, no order had been passed, leading to the complaint.
Justice Nirmal Kumar, upon receiving this communication, deemed it appropriate to recuse himself from the proceedings and ordered that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He also directed that the case be referred to the Vigilance Cell of the High Court for a thorough inquiry and appropriate action. This decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding its integrity and addressing any claims that could tarnish its image. The case in question is reportedly linked to an ₹89.90 crore Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gold fraud case, where petitions were filed by the accused seeking to quash the chargesheet and their discharge from proceedings.
The senior advocate at the center of the allegations has vehemently denied accepting the ₹50 lakh or any sum for the purpose of bribing the judge. He has expressed his readiness to cooperate fully with any investigation into the matter. Despite the denial, the High Court has proceeded with ordering a vigilance probe, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards any allegations that touch upon judicial integrity.
Multiple news outlets, including Bar and Bench, Live Law, NDTV, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, OpIndia, and DT Next, have reported on this unfolding situation, corroborating the key facts of the judge's recusal and the order for an inquiry. The reporting consistently mentions the sum of ₹50 lakh, the involvement of a senior advocate, the recusal of Justice Nirmal Kumar, and the subsequent directive for a vigilance inquiry.
The original case is related to an alleged fraud of ₹113.38 crore involving the Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India, concerning speculative foreign exchange trading and failure to take forward cover under the Buyers Credit Scheme. The current development highlights the critical importance of maintaining public trust in the judiciary and the robust mechanisms in place to investigate and address any potential breaches of conduct, thereby reinforcing the principles of justice and fairness within the legal system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the Madras High Court judge's recusal?
Justice M. Nirmal Kumar recused himself after the court received a representation alleging that a senior advocate took ₹50 lakh from a client to bribe the judge.
What action has the Madras High Court taken?
The High Court has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the allegations and referred the matter to the Chief Justice for further action and assignment to an appropriate bench.
Has the senior advocate responded to the allegations?
Yes, the senior advocate has denied all allegations and expressed his willingness to cooperate with any investigation.
Is this bribery allegation linked to any specific case?
The allegations are reportedly linked to an ongoing ₹89.90 crore Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gold fraud case.