U’Khand HC Suspends District Judge for Subordinate Harassment

The Uttarakhand High Court has suspended Anuj Kumar Sangal, the District and Sessions Judge of Rudraprayag and former Registrar (Vigilance) of the high court, on charges of harassing a subordinate.

Sangal allegedly subjected Harish Adhikari, a Class IV employee stationed at his residence, to abuse and threats of dismissal, leading Adhikari to ingest poison, as per the suspension order issued by Registrar General Ashish Naithani.

The order, issued under the instructions of the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court, Manoj Tiwari, declares that a disciplinary inquiry is being contemplated concerning the allegations against the District and Sessions Judge, Rudraprayag. A formal inquiry will be initiated against Sangal under Rule 7 of the Uttarakhand Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 2003. The order emphasizes that harassing a subordinate and threatening removal from service constitutes inhuman conduct, unbecoming of a judicial officer, and is in violation of the Uttarakhand Government Servants Conduct Rules, 2002. Throughout the suspension period, Sangal will remain attached to the District and Sessions Court, Chamoli.