Laptop scam: 300 Delhi lower-court judges under probe
TNN, New Delhi :
Nearly 300 Delhi lower-court judges are under the scanner of the high court for alleged financial irregularities in purchase of computers and laptops from funds provided by the Delhi government and Delhi high court in 2013.
A high-level panel comprising three HC judges has been set up by chief justice of Delhi high court Justice G Rohini to look into how the money was spent by each of these judges. The panel will scrutinize documents submitted by the judges on purchase of these items.
Under the scheme, each judge was sanctioned Rs 1.1 lakh for upgrading their computer infrastructure. The idea was to give the judges the freedom to opt for computers, laptops or iPads so that their efficiency in disposal of cases improves.
Sources told TOI that the probe panel has issued memos to judicial officers under the scanner, asking for detailed explanation on the manner in which they spent the money.
“All judges were initially under
probe but the panel has now zeroed in on roughly 300 officers against whom preliminary discrepancies have been found. The focus is on correctness of the utilization certificate given by them to HC relating to the purchases,” said an authoritative source. “It has emerged some may have bought TVs or home theatre systems out of the sanctioned sum instead of computers,” the source added.
The irregularities came to light during a routine vigilance inquiry conducted by court officials. When the evidence was shown to the chief justice and other senior judges including the computer committee, it set alarm bells ringing.
Taking a serious view of alleged financial misdemeanours by city court judges, Justice G Rohini set up a panel comprising justices Vipin Sanghi, Rajiv Shakdher and VK Rao to conduct a swift but wide ranging inquiry.
In response to the memos issued by the panel, sources said, many judges have sent detailed replies with annexures explaining what was purchased and even showing debit/credit details from their official bank accounts that tally with the date of purchase. Details of vendors have also been provided which is being checked individually.
A high-level panel comprising three HC judges has been set up by chief justice of Delhi high court Justice G Rohini (above) to look into how the money was spent by each of these judges.
“Since there was no specification of how much money is to be used for maintenance of the new equipment, the panel is likely to give a leeway of Rs 10,000-15,000 that may have been kept reserved for annual maintenance charges by a judge. But beyond that, the charges if proved, may lead to the guilty judge’s dismissal from service because financial fraud or providing forged certificates is a very serious crime,” the source pointed out.
Nearly 300 Delhi lower-court judges are under the scanner of the high court for alleged financial irregularities in purchase of computers and laptops from funds provided by the Delhi government and Delhi high court in 2013.
A high-level panel comprising three HC judges has been set up by chief justice of Delhi high court Justice G Rohini to look into how the money was spent by each of these judges. The panel will scrutinize documents submitted by the judges on purchase of these items.
Under the scheme, each judge was sanctioned Rs 1.1 lakh for upgrading their computer infrastructure. The idea was to give the judges the freedom to opt for computers, laptops or iPads so that their efficiency in disposal of cases improves.
Sources told TOI that the probe panel has issued memos to judicial officers under the scanner, asking for detailed explanation on the manner in which they spent the money.
“All judges were initially under
probe but the panel has now zeroed in on roughly 300 officers against whom preliminary discrepancies have been found. The focus is on correctness of the utilization certificate given by them to HC relating to the purchases,” said an authoritative source. “It has emerged some may have bought TVs or home theatre systems out of the sanctioned sum instead of computers,” the source added.
The irregularities came to light during a routine vigilance inquiry conducted by court officials. When the evidence was shown to the chief justice and other senior judges including the computer committee, it set alarm bells ringing.
Taking a serious view of alleged financial misdemeanours by city court judges, Justice G Rohini set up a panel comprising justices Vipin Sanghi, Rajiv Shakdher and VK Rao to conduct a swift but wide ranging inquiry.
In response to the memos issued by the panel, sources said, many judges have sent detailed replies with annexures explaining what was purchased and even showing debit/credit details from their official bank accounts that tally with the date of purchase. Details of vendors have also been provided which is being checked individually.
A high-level panel comprising three HC judges has been set up by chief justice of Delhi high court Justice G Rohini (above) to look into how the money was spent by each of these judges.
“Since there was no specification of how much money is to be used for maintenance of the new equipment, the panel is likely to give a leeway of Rs 10,000-15,000 that may have been kept reserved for annual maintenance charges by a judge. But beyond that, the charges if proved, may lead to the guilty judge’s dismissal from service because financial fraud or providing forged certificates is a very serious crime,” the source pointed out.