Judge moves HC against junior's promotion

 
The High Court has appointed a committee, comprising its judges, to look into the representation of I S Mehta, Additional Sessions judge and in-charge of Dwarka Courts here. Mehta, who belongs to the SC/ST category, has challenged the elevation of G P Mittal as district and sessions judge on the ground that Mittal was junior to him, as per the seniority list prepared in pursuance of a Supreme Court verdict.

The committee will soon submit its report before the full bench of the High Court after considering all aspects of the representation made by Mehta. According to the representation, Mehta’s name figured at serial number 30 in the seniority list, while District and Sessions Judge Mittal’s name figured at 42. The elevation of Mittal was in violation of the guidelines issued by the Government of India, it said.

Claiming that he fulfilled the criteria fixed by the High Court for promotion of SC/ST judges, ASJ Mehta said that he got five B+ (very good) rating during last five years. The representation said even at the time when both Mehta and Mittal were promoted as Additional Sessions judges, former’s name figured prior to latter’s in the seniority list.