HC Quashes Govt Order on Ex-judge Removal

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday quashed the removal of Justice AK Samantray from the post of president of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission by the State Government in 2012.

A single judge bench of Justice BN Ratha ruled that the Government notification issued on May 9, 2012 for removal of the former HC judge from the post was contrary to law.

Justice Samantray had challenged his removal from the post before the end of his tenure, terming it not only arbitrary and illegal but also done with malafide intentions.  He was appointed president of the Commission in March, 2008 for a tenure of five years but the notification for his removal was issued on May 9, 2012, even as there were three months left for his term to end.

The Government had moved to remove Justice Samantray following some adverse remarks passed by the High Court on the functioning of State Commission as well as district forums during adjudication of a PIL.