A Madras High Court judge named M Nirmal Kumar rescued himself from hearing a case recently after it was alleged that a senior lawyer, N Muralidharan, had taken Rs 50 lakhs from a client on the pretext of bribing him for a favourable order.
Justice Kumar’s decision to rescue himself came 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. The representation stated that even after receipt of Rs 50 lakhs, no order had been passed to date.
This happened during the hearing of a criminal revision and a linked quashing petition in a case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
“In view of specific allegations contained in the representation given by All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), Chennai, this Court finds that it is appropriate that the issue 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 an enquiry and to take appropriate action in this regard,” the order reads.
Meanwhile, Advocate N Muralidharan denied the accusation that he took Rs 50 lakh from a client and that this amount was to be given to Justice M Nirmal Kumar in respect of the case.
