Resignation of judge who delivered Mecca Masjid blast verdict rejected

Suresh Dharur

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, April 19

The resignation of a senior Judge K Ravinder Reddy, who earlier this week acquitted all the accused in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case, has been rejected by the Hyderabad High Court on Thursday.

Justice Reddy, heading a special court for National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases, had put in his papers, hours after delivering the verdict in the Mecca Masjid blast case on Monday and proceeded on a 15-day leave.

As the timing of his action raised several questions, the high court rejected his resignation, cancelled his leave and asked him to report to his duty.

The court asked him to resume his charge as the fourth metropolitan sessions court immediately. Following the order, Justice Reddy resumed his duties on Thursday.

According to legal experts, it is possible that Justice Reddy’s resignation could not be accepted as a petition seeking probe into the allegations of corruption against him was still being inquired into.

The judge had cited “personal reasons” for his resignation.  The resignation letter came hours after acquitting all the five accused in the blast case, including Swami Aseemanand, a former RSS member.

Justice Reddy, who is also the president of Telangana Judicial Officers Association, is retiring by June end.