Delhi High Court Suspends Judge Veena Rani Over Forum Shopping Allegations, July 19

The Delhi High Court suspended judicial officer Veena Rani effective immediately on July 15, according to an order made public Friday. The suspension follows a long-pending internal inquiry into allegations that Veena Rani facilitated forum shopping in intellectual property rights cases by allowing certain litigants to repeatedly file suits before her court. The Full Court also initiated disciplinary proceedings against her. She is barred from leaving Delhi without prior permission from competent authorities.

What the allegations against Veena Rani involve

Veena Rani faced accusations that certain litigants repeatedly sought to have their IPR suits listed before her court. A 2018 Delhi High Court Division Bench took cognizance of these allegations and directed that suits filed by those parties should not be listed before Veena Rani and two other judicial officers, who have since retired. In 2019, Justice Manmohan directed the High Court Registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice for an administrative inquiry.

Timeline of the suspension and inquiry

The internal inquiry initiated by the High Court administration culminated in the July 15 suspension order, which was made public on Friday. This suspension follows closely after judicial officer Vinay Singhal was suspended on July 10 following a vigilance inquiry into allegations of misconduct relating to court auctioneer appointments. Both officers face disciplinary proceedings.

Restrictions during suspension period

During suspension, Veena Rani remains attached to her District Judge office at the Principal District and Sessions Judge, South-East, Saket. She cannot leave Delhi without prior written permission from competent authorities. She continues to receive subsistence allowance and other admissible allowances as per rules during the suspension period, according to the High Court order.

Broader context of judicial accountability

The suspension of Veena Rani and Vinay Singhal reflects the Delhi High Court’s enforcement of judicial standards. Vinay Singhal faced allegations of appointing ineligible court auctioneers and issuing orders that exceeded prescribed fee limits. Both suspensions were approved by the Full Court in separate administrative resolutions.

Final Thoughts

The Delhi High Court’s suspension of Veena Rani signals strict enforcement of judicial conduct standards. For litigants and legal professionals, these actions underscore that forum shopping and procedural irregularities face serious consequences at the highest judicial levels.

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