Madras High Court judge recuses after lawyers claim senior advocate took ₹50 lakh from client to bribe him

A Madras High Court judge recently recused from hearing a case after allegations emerged that a senior advocate had taken ₹50 lakh from a client on the pretext of bribing him for a favourable order. [N Ganesh Agarwal v. Inspector of Police]

Justice M Nirmal Kumar recused after the Registry received a communication from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice enclosing a representation from the All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ).

The Court was hearing a criminal revision and a connected quashing petition in a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It said in its order,

"In view of specific allegations contained in the representation given by All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), Chennai, this Courts finds that it is appropriate that the issue to be referred to the Vigilance Cell of the Madras High Court. Hence, this Court is not inclined to hear this case. It is appropriate that the matter is placed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice for posting before an appropriate Bench and also to issue appropriate directions to the Vigilance Cell to conduct enquiry and to take appropriate action in this regard."

The representation alleged that a senior advocate had collected ₹50,00,000 from a client, stating that the amount was to be given to “your Lordship” in respect of the case.

It further said that even after receipt of the said amount, no order had been passed till date.

The senior advocate in question, N Murali Kumaran, denied the allegations and said he was ready to cooperate with any kind of enquiry.

Special Public Prosecutor K Srinivasan submitted that such representations affect the dignity of the Court and urged that stern steps be taken to identify those behind the alleged false complaint.

[Read Order]