Uttarakhand High Court Restores Judge Removed Over Allegations Involving Minor

The Uttarakhand High Court directed the reinstatement of a judicial officer who was dismissed in 2020 over allegations of employing and physically and mentally abusing a 17-year-old domestic help, holding that the disciplinary action rested on the absence of evidence and serious procedural irregularities.

The case arose from departmental proceedings against Civil Judge (Senior Division) Deepali Sharma, where the Court found the inquiry process to be excessive, unfair, and lacking basic safeguards, including lapses in medical examination and non-supply of relied-upon documents.

The Court ordered continuity of service with all consequential benefits, while restricting payment of salary arrears to 50%.

[Deepali Sharma v. State of Uttarakhand & Anr.]