‘Unbecoming of a judicial officer’: Court pulls up judge for holding trial despite compromise

The Allahabad High Court recently reprimanded a trial court judge for blatantly disregarding its order. The judge proceeded to hold a trial, framing charges against the accused individuals even though she had been instructed to decide the case based on a compromise application. Justice Raj Beer Singh presided over a plea filed by two men who sought recall of an order directing the trial court to decide their case through a compromise application.

Instead of adhering to the compromise, a full-fledged trial was held, resulting in the men's acquittal. The high court's order, dated August 31, stated that the judge's conduct was "unbecoming of a judicial officer." The high court noted that after verifying the compromise on August 8, 2025, the trial court judge proceeded to hold a trial, framed charges, and put the accused on trial illegally and arbitrarily.

The high court emphasized that the trial judge should have decided the case based on the compromise once it was verified, rather than forcing the accused to obtain bail, framing charges, and scheduling a trial. The court called for an explanation from the trial court judge, who was found to have provided a false statement in her explanation, claiming that the parties did not press the compromise.

Despite receiving an apology from the trial court judge, the high court directed that no further action be taken against her and warned her to be more careful in the future.