Delhi High Court removes Rohini Judge from judicial duties
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, May 18, 2026: The Delhi High Court on Sunday relieved Rohini district court judge Justice Rakesh Kumar of all judicial work following a controversial courtroom exchange with a lawyer, the video of which went viral on social media and triggered protests by lawyers across Delhi.
According to an official order issued by the High Court, Justice Rakesh Kumar has now been attached to the office of the Director of the Delhi Judicial Academy. District Judge Dheeraj Mittal, who was serving as Additional Director at the academy, has been appointed in his place.
The decision came after the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations in Delhi announced suspension of judicial work across district courts in protest against the incident.
The controversy erupted after a video clip allegedly showing a heated argument between the judge and the President of the Rohini Court Bar Association began circulating widely online on Saturday, leading to outrage within sections of the legal fraternity.
In a strongly worded statement, the coordination committee described the judge’s behaviour as “highly objectionable and unbecoming,” alleging that the incident had caused “deep resentment and serious concern” among lawyers.
The committee demanded the judge’s immediate transfer along with an inquiry into his conduct. It had also called upon advocates across Delhi district courts to abstain from work on Monday in protest and to “uphold the dignity and independence of the legal fraternity.”
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Association of Delhi also issued a statement condemning the alleged illegal recording and circulation of courtroom proceedings on social media.
The association termed the unauthorised recording of judicial proceedings and making them viral online as a “direct assault on the dignity, independence and majesty of the judicial institution.”
At the same time, while criticising what it called “unwarranted intimidation” during the incident, the association opposed any complete boycott of judicial work, noting that the Delhi High Court had already intervened promptly in the matter.