Thiruvananthapuram: A Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Judge ordered a court office attendant to stand in a corner of the courtroom as punishment for refusing to drive the judge’s private vehicle. The punishment was later revoked following a complaint by the court staff association to the Registrar of the High Court.
On June 30, the judge allegedly instructed Ramakrishnan, a resident of Balaramapuram who had newly assumed charge, to drive his private car to court. However, Ramakrishnan informed the judge that he had not yet completed his driving training and was afraid to drive due to a previous accident.
Following this, the judge directed Ramakrishnan to arrive at his residence in Pattom every morning at 8:30 a.m. to carry the judge’s briefcase to court from there. Ramakrishnan explained that he was the sole caregiver for his mother, who is battling cancer, and that daily visits to the judge’s home would cost him nearly ₹250. Angered by this response, the judge ordered that Ramakrishnan must stand in a corner of the courtroom until the end of court proceedings every day as a form of punishment.
In response to this action, the court staff association approached the Registrar of the High Court. The High Court intervened and revoked the punishment imposed on Ramakrishnan.
