SC collegium recalls District Judge's elevation to High Court over graft Allegations in a Bail Case

June 10,2017

Intelligence Bureau, IB, found that Two judges and three members of the Bar conspired to ensure bail to Accused.

Supreme Court collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India J. S. Khehar has recalled recommendation for the appointment of an Allahabad HC judge just before it was being forwarded by the Centre to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.

This intervention took place after the chief justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Dilip B Bhosale acted on an Intelligence Bureau (IB) inquiry report

The report said that the Lucknow District Judge in question & his associates had allegedly received huge bribes to grant bail to former UP minister Gayatri Prajapati.

Gayatri Prajapati was arrested on 15th March after being on the run for more than one month following the registration of an FIR against him in a rape case.

Though the Supreme Court refused to stay Gayatri Prajapati's arrest when he pleaded "not to be arrested", Om Prakash Mishra, additional sessions judge in a Lucknow court, granted bail to 3 accused, including Prajapati on 25th April.

Disturbed by serious allegations against O P Mishra & some seniors involved in the bail order, Justice Bhosale ordered an IB inquiry. This probe revealed the involvement of not only the POCSO judge, but also the district judge of Lucknow & 3 advocates.

According to the Intelligence report, all the 5 acted in concert & conspired to ensure granting of bail to Gayatri Prajapati.

Since the Lucknow district judge was cleared by the Supreme Court collegium for elevation as an High Court judge, Justice Bhosale asked IB to re-verify these allegations.

A 2nd check by IB further strengthened the case as Bhosale was told that the "info. given to him was accurate & actionable" & there wasn't any doubt on the involvement of the district judge in the transaction.

Prajapati had contested the 2017 UP elections from Amethi on an SP ticket & lost. Police filed a chargesheet against him & 6 others last week for the gang rape of a woman & molestation of her minor daughter.

The Allahabad High Court had earlier stayed the bail order of the POCSO court granted to Gayatri Prajapati & 2 others. The former UP minister continues to be behind bars.

With inputs from TOI.