Judges Should not Succumb to Callous Allegations by Litigants: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has cautioned judicial officers against yielding to pressure created by litigants through unfounded allegations of bias.

The Court observed that adverse or unfavourable orders are often misconstrued as prejudice, leading to misuse of transfer petitions and undermining judicial independence. The Court noted that judges work under tremendous strain from multiple stakeholders, and occasional errors cannot be equated with partiality.

It held that vague allegations do not justify transfer of cases and warned against scurrilous attacks on judges and opposing counsel. 

Dismissing the plea, the Court imposed ₹50,000 costs, reaffirming that judicial error is not synonymous with bias.

[Dinesh Chand Bansal v. State of Haryana & Anr.]