The Delhi High Court has attached District Judge Rakesh Kumar of Rohini Courts to the Delhi Judicial Academy in a diverted capacity, effectively relieving him of all regular judicial work with immediate effect. The decision comes hours after a heated verbal confrontation between the judge and advocates, including the president of the Rohini Court Bar Association, inside Court No. 212 went viral on social media.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 16, during court proceedings when Advocate Rajiv Tehlan, President of the Rohini Court Bar Association, sought a routine “passover” (adjournment) in a matter. What began as a procedural request quickly escalated into a sharp exchange.
Judge Rakesh Kumar allegedly responded with hostile and derogatory remarks, including phrases such as “Jo karna hai kar lo” (“Do whatever you want to do”) and questioning the advocates’ references to higher courts with comments like “Aapke baap dada baithe hain High Court Supreme Court mein?” (“Are your fathers and grandfathers sitting in the High Court or Supreme Court?”).
Clash between Bar Association President and Rohini court judge pic.twitter.com/0OVPdpUoUD
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 17, 2026
It is also alleged that the judge used unparliamentary and abusive language directed at the legal fraternity, with one claim suggesting the slur “chutiya” was used.
Advocates present in the courtroom pushed back strongly. In the viral footage, lawyers are seen accusing the judge of spending time drinking in his chamber instead of working and referring to him in derogatory terms, including calling him an “addict.” Court staff intervened to de-escalate the situation and prevent it from turning physical.
The Coordination Committee of all District Court Bar Associations in Delhi issued a strong statement condemning the judge’s conduct as “highly objectionable.” The committee described the judge’s behaviour towards Advocate Rajiv Tehlan, a senior office-bearer of the Bar, as unacceptable and an affront to the dignity of the entire legal fraternity and the justice delivery system.
It demanded a fair inquiry by the High Court and strict disciplinary action, emphasising the need to protect advocates’ dignity and maintain respectful relations between the Bar and the Bench. The coordination committee said, “After detailed deliberations, the Coordination Committee resolved that DJ-04 Sh. Rakesh Kumar-V, North-West District, Rohini Courts, be immediately transferred from Rohini Courts, all judicial work be withdrawn from him forthwith and an enquiry into his conduct be initiated at the earliest.”
Several advocates and bar leaders termed the episode an “attack on the independence of the Bar” and called for judicial accountability to preserve courtroom decorum.
The protests and growing calls for action threatened to disrupt judicial work, with some sections of the Bar reportedly considering a suspension of proceedings across Delhi district courts. However, the High Court’s prompt intervention has averted any larger boycott.
In an order issued today, the court replaced Judge Rakesh Kumar with District Judge Dheeraj Mittal at the Rohini court. The order states that Judge Rakesh Kumar has been “attached to the Judicial Academy,” an official posting where a judicial officer is assigned to training, faculty, or administrative duties at the academy instead of regular court work. It is often used in cases involving disciplinary or administrative concerns while keeping the officer within the judicial service. However, the High Court has not announced any probe into the matter.
