In a major disciplinary move, the Bombay High Court has dismissed two lower court judges—Additional Sessions Judge Dhananjay Nikam and Civil Judge Irfan Shaikh—following serious allegations of misconduct. The decision came after an internal inquiry conducted by the court’s disciplinary committee.
⚖️ Bribery and Drug Misuse Allegations Surface
Judge Nikam was accused of demanding a bribe in exchange for granting bail in a fraud case, while Judge Shaikh, who handled cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, faced allegations of corruption and misuse of seized narcotics during investigations. A petition against Shaikh remains pending in the High Court.
📌 ACB Investigation Uncovers Bribery Scheme
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case against Judge Nikam after a woman alleged that her father, held in judicial custody for fraud related to a fake government job offer, was denied bail. She claimed that after filing a bail petition in Satara Sessions Court, Nikam oversaw the hearing and, through intermediaries, demanded ₹5 lakh to approve the bail.
According to the ACB, Mumbai resident Kishore Sambhaji Kharat and Satara resident Anand Mohan Kharat, allegedly acting on Nikam’s instructions, approached the woman with the bribe demand. The investigation, conducted between December 3 and 9, 2024, confirmed the solicitation of the bribe. A case has now been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Nikam, both Kharats, and an unidentified individual.
📉 High Court Denied Bail Plea
Judge Nikam had approached the High Court in January seeking anticipatory bail, claiming innocence and alleging he was being framed. However, the High Court rejected his plea in March.
This dismissal marks a strong stance by the judiciary against internal corruption, reinforcing accountability and ethical standards within the legal system.