The Gujarat High Court has recommended criminal contempt proceedings against suspended Additional District Judge GR Soni after he made allegations against a senior High Court judge in written submissions filed before the Court.
Soni, who was suspended in December 2024, is already facing a departmental inquiry over allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with an outsourced clerk, provided her financial help, got a CCTV camera blocked, and did not hold court regularly.
A Bench of Justice NS Sanjay Gowda and Justice JL Odedra was hearing Soni’s plea challenging the inquiry when it took serious note of his written submissions. In those submissions, Soni claimed that a senior High Court judge had “control” over junior judges and various branches of the Court.
The High Court said such statements could damage the dignity and authority of the judiciary. According to the Bench, the remarks could amount to criminal contempt because they may interfere with the administration of justice.
The Court has now directed that the matter be placed before the Bench dealing with contempt cases to decide whether criminal contempt proceedings should formally begin against Soni. He has also been asked to remain personally present before the Court on June 15.
During the hearing, Soni’s lawyers told the Court that the written submissions containing those remarks were filed by Soni himself without their advice or instructions.
On Soni’s challenge to the departmental inquiry, the Court rejected his argument that action against a judicial officer can start only after receiving a formal complaint supported by an affidavit and proper evidence. The Bench said the disciplinary authority only needs to form an opinion that there are enough reasons to start an inquiry.
The Court also clarified that guidelines requiring affidavits in complaints by litigants do not apply when the High Court itself decides to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a judicial officer.
It further refused to consider Soni’s argument that the charges against him were vague, saying the inquiry is already in progress.
Earlier, Soni had approached the Supreme Court of India seeking transfer of the inquiry outside Gujarat, but later withdrew the plea.
