Judge Can’t Be Presumed Biased Due To Litigant’s Relative Being Police or Court Staff: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court set aside a Telangana High Court order transferring a criminal case on alleged bias, holding that a judge cannot be presumed biased merely because a litigant’s relative is a police constable or court staff.

The Court ruled that such factors, without concrete evidence, are inconsequential and cannot justify transfer.

Emphasising fairness and access to justice, it restored the case to the original court and clarified that apprehensions must be addressed through legal safeguards, not presumptions.

[Prasanna Kasini v. The State of Telangana]