Delhi High Court Faces Bomb Threat, Prompting Evacuation
On September 12, 2025, the Delhi High Court received a bomb threat via email, leading to an immediate evacuation of the premises. The threat was sent to the registrar general at approximately 8:39 AM, causing judges to leave their courtrooms and litigants to vacate the building. Law enforcement agencies promptly initiated a thorough search operation to ensure the safety of all individuals present.
Judicial Appointments and Transfers
In a significant move to address the shortage of judges, the central government issued a notification for the appointment of three new judges to the Delhi High Court. Ms. Shail Jain, Ms. Madhu Jain, and Mr. Vinod Kumar were appointed, increasing the working strength of the court to 43 against a sanctioned strength of 60. Additionally, Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya administered the oath of office to six judges transferred from various high courts across India, aiming to streamline judicial proceedings and improve case disposal rates.
Concerns Over Courtroom Decorum
The Delhi High Court has expressed concerns regarding the professionalism in virtual court hearings. Justice Girish Kathpalia highlighted instances where lawyers attended hearings from inappropriate locations, such as parks, and emphasized the need to maintain courtroom decorum even in hybrid proceedings. The court directed the registry to circulate portions of its order to bar associations, urging them to sensitize lawyers on proper conduct during virtual hearings.
Infrastructure Challenges
The court has also criticized the Delhi government for delays in funding the construction of official residences for district judiciary officials. A bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya emphasized the importance of implementing Supreme Court directions regarding judicial infrastructure and expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction.
Judicial Conduct Under Scrutiny
In an unprecedented move, the Delhi High Court recommended the termination of Aman Pratap Singh, a district judge in Dwarka, after a video surfaced showing him standing and shouting in the courtroom. The court withdrew judicial work from Singh and communicated its recommendation to the Delhi government, leading to his termination on October 10, 2024.
These developments underscore the Delhi High Court’s ongoing efforts to uphold judicial decorum, address infrastructural challenges, and ensure the efficient functioning of the judiciary.
