Registrar General Cannot Independently Start Proceedings Against Judge: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has clarified that a High Court Registrar General has no independent authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a judicial officer.

The Court held that such action can only be commenced with approval from the Chief Justice of the High Court or a committee of judges constituted by the Chief Justice under Article 235 of the Constitution.

The ruling came while upholding reinstatement of a Uttarakhand judicial officer whose dismissal was challenged on procedural grounds.

The Bench observed that disciplinary proceedings initiated without proper authorization suffer from a jurisdictional defect and would be void in law.