The Kerala High Court has placed a judicial officer under suspension after receiving serious allegations of sexual misconduct from a woman litigant.
Sri. Udayakumar V was earlier serving at the Family Court in Chavara, was accused of making inappropriate and obscene remarks during counselling. The complainant wrote to the Principal District Judge in Kollam, who forwarded the matter to the High Court. In response, the officer was transferred on August 20 to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Kollam.
After examining the written complaints and the District Judge's reports, the High Court decided on August 26 to suspend the officer. The administrative committee further ordered disciplinary action under the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1960. Delivering its order, the court stated,
"In public interest, it is necessary that the officer be suspended from service pending further action."
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During the suspension period, the officer will be entitled to maximum subsistence allowance and admissible benefits as per Kerala Service Rules.
The inquiry will now proceed to determine further disciplinary measures.
