Eight 'corrupt, inefficient' Tamil Nadu judges in the dock

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has declared all-out war on corrupt and inefficient judges among the subordinate judiciary. At least eight judges, an unprecedented number, face the music for charges ranging from inefficiency to corruption and moral turpitude.

Melur judicial magistrate K V Mahendra Boopathy, suspended on Friday, is the latest judicial officer on the list. The court also eased out of service five district judge-cadre officers and suspended another district judge.

T S Nandakumar, who attempted suicide in February, was suspended a fortnight ago, sources said. The court denied retirement to N Manvizhi and suspended her on her last day in office while it forced district judge R Anburaj, who granted bail to a doctor accused in a kidney racket, to retire.

The CB-CID has filed an FIR against district judge-cadre officer N Manvizhi in a case it is investigating. The Madras HC has denied extension of services beyond 58 years of three other district judges, R Ganesan, N Vaidhyanathan and Nallathambi.

"Unless authorities prove grave charges, district judges receive two-year extensions from the full court, if other parameters are in order," a source said. Sub-judge Bhuvaneswari also faces allegations and a high court vigilance team inspected her properties a few weeks ago.