Justice Deo of Bombay High Court Surprises Courtroom, Announces Resignation While Hearing A Matter

Mumbai, Aug 5: Justice Rohit Deo, the Judge of the Bombay High Court and former Advocate General of Maharashtra, surprised the lawyers and others at the court room on Friday by announcing his resignation while hearing a matter.

Justice Deo, who has given ruling on several high-profile cases including the acquittal of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba in an alleged Maoist links case, said he could not compromise on his self-respect while making his sudden announcement.

He, however, did not elaborate on his comments but said he was resigning on personal grounds.

Media reports have quoted a lawyer present in the courtroom about Justice Deo stepping down.

"Those who are present in the court, I apologise to each one of you. I scolded you because I want you to improve. I don't want to hurt anyone of you because you all are like family to me and I am sorry to tell you that I have submitted my resignation. I can't work against my self-respect. You people work hard," Justice Deo was quoted as saying in the courtroom by the lawyer.

The matter listed before him was withdrawn forthwith for hearing on a later day.

Justice Deo’s announcement came days after he passed an order staying the Maharashtra Government Resolution which empowered the State Government to cancel proceedings initiated by the revenue department on the illegal excavation of minor minerals by contractors engaged in the construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.