Gujarat High Court upholds dismissal of judge who threatened to ‘sleep on pavement’ over housing dispute

A senior civil judge, A H Dave, was dismissed by the Gujarat High Court after a string of actions deemed highly disrespectful and unsubordinate. The court upheld her dismissal, rejecting her claim that the disciplinary proceedings were unfair. Evidence of Dave's misconduct included her threat to sleep on the pavement if official housing was not provided, her late-night presence at the Palanpur district court complex, and a letter containing harsh language directed at the Chief Justice.

Dave was transferred to Deesa in 2012 after requesting private accommodation, but instead of settling for private housing, she sought additional allowances and accommodation from the district collector. Her conduct was found to be "unbecoming of a judicial officer" and a mockery of the judiciary. Despite challenging the dismissal on the grounds of violation of natural justice principles, Dave's repeated failures to attend departmental inquiries and her language in subsequent letters proved insubordinate.