Shocking attempt to influence HC judge before hearing HC orders probe against persons responsible for this unacceptable behaviour. In a shocking incident someone on behalf of the complainant in a land fraud case tried to contact a sitting High Court judge hearing the bail matter on the day of hearing after which an enquiry was ordered to trace the persons responsible for trying to influence the sitting judge in a pending matter. The judge received a WhatsApp message on his cellphone from a family acquaintance containing a screenshot of the cause list of the court highlighting listing of application. The message sent by a lady contained a note which appeared to be either an extract from the response of the prosecution or a note drafted either by the complainant or his well-wisher emphasising that the applicant did not deserve pre-arrest protection and that the complainant continued to be haunted by fear and terror. Justice Rohit Deo who was hearing the matter was shocked and stunned to receive this WhatsApp message which was obviously forwarded to his acquaintance who in turn forwarded it to him. “The intent is obviously either to prejudice me or to ensure a recusal. Either way prima facie the attempt is to pollute the streams of justice” Justice Deo observed while making it clear that “No Judge much less a Judge of the Constitutional Court would succumb to such crude albeit nefarious designs.” A Judge is bound by the oath to decide without fear or favour. This duty is an article of faith. A judge who is true to the oath of office is not expected either to be browbeaten or to be prejudiced Justice Deo noted while directing Registrar (Judicial) to conduct an appropriate enquiry and to submit a report on or before March 5. He has been asked to record albeit prima facie the name and identity of the originator/source of the said WhatsApp message and the screenshot. In the instant case applicant Amarindersingh Bagga against whom offence punishable under Sections 420 467 468 471 447 385 506 read with Section 34 of IPC are registered with Wathoda Police Station. High Court while granting interim relief to Bagga directed him to furnish PR bond of Rs 50000/- with a surety of like amount and to attend Economic Offences Wing office on March 1-3 from 10 am to 3 pm not to influence investigation not to tamper with evidence and not to leave the country without the permission of the jurisdictional court. Adv N B Bargat appeared for the applicant while APP N R Rode represented the State.

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