In a major ruling, the Madras High Court has upheld serious misconduct charges against Kancheepuram Principal District and Sessions Judge Pa.U. Chemmal. The judge, who recently sparked controversy by ordering a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) into judicial custody over a personal grudge with his ex-Personal Security Officer (PSO), now faces disciplinary action.
Justice N. Sathish Kumar reviewed a detailed inquiry report from Registrar (Vigilance) Jacintha Martin and wasted no time. He told the High Court Registry to send the report straight to the Vigilance Committee—made up of top judges—for quick disciplinary steps. He also flagged it for the Transfer Committee, saying it just doesn’t work to keep the judge in Kancheepuram anymore.
This all stems from a petition by the Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police, who fought back against the judge’s September 8 order to lock up the DSP. Justice Sathish Kumar stepped in fast on September 9, scrapping that custody decision and kicking off a full vigilance inquiry into the judge’s actions.
The probe uncovered some eye-opening details. The Superintendent of Police, the DSP, and the judge’s former PSO, R. Lokeshwaran, all shared their stories with the vigilance team. It turns out the judge allegedly pushed police to file a case against Lokeshwaran and his father-in-law—a local bakery owner—for supposedly spreading rumors about him. When the DSP didn’t arrest the ex-aide right away, the judge reportedly ordered him into custody as payback.
There’s more. The inquiry revealed the judge leaned on a Food Safety Officer to raid the bakery, and the officer confirmed it during questioning. On top of that, the report highlighted other red flags, like the judge strong-arming a nearby pharmacy for not handing over medicines without a proper prescription.
Justice Sathish Kumar made it clear: the findings prove a clear misuse of judicial power. He urged the committees to move swiftly on disciplinary proceedings to hold the judge accountable. This case shines a light on accountability in India’s judiciary, especially in high-stakes districts like Kancheepuram.
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