Supreme Court cautions High Courts against growing tendency to publicly criticise subordinate judicial officers

The Supreme Court has cautioned the High Courts against the growing tendency to publicly criticise subordinate judicial officers, observing that “the High Court is expected to act as the guardian of officers in the district judiciary”.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observation while setting aside a Calcutta High Court order cancelling an accused’s bail in a tenancy-related criminal case.

The Supreme Court said the dispute was largely civil in nature and that the High Court was not justified in unsettling a bail order after nearly eight years on technical grounds.