Judges graft case: HC seeks explanation from Vigilance Cell

The Gujarat High Court today sought an explanation from its Vigilance Cell for not seeking the remand of two Judges after their arrest last year on charges of corruption during their posting in Vapi town in 2014.
Justice Sonia Gokani asked the Cell to explain with "proper reasons" why it didn't press for custody of the Judges A D Acharya and P D Inamdar for interrogation after their arrest and posted the matter on February 17.
Acharya and Inamdar were caught on camera allegedly discussing settlement of money to pass favourable orders. After the matter came to light, the two were suspended by the HC in August and subsequently arrested in September last year by the Cell following a complaint by Vapi lawyer Jagat Patel.

During today's hearing, lawyers of the Cell told the HC that they did not seek the remand after their production in a court in Valsad district (where Vapi is located) as it was not deemed necessary.
On this, Patel's lawyer Mrudul Barot argued that truth in the case will not come out if the Judges are not interrogated and said the Cell must seek their custody.
At present, Acharya and Inamdar are out on bail.

In his complaint given to the Cell last year, Patel had claimed he had fixed spy cameras in the courtrooms of both the judges which recorded their activities for three months (from February to April 2014).

In the recording, they were allegedly found talking to lawyers on phone and in person about dealing and negotiating the amounts to give favourable orders.
After receiving the complaint, the HC Vigilance Cell began a probe and later filed an FIR against the Judges under Prevention of Corruption Act. They were also accused of forging court records and passing forged documents as genuine.
Following the probe, the HC suspended them in August.
Acharya was serving at Shihor taluka in Bhavnagar district and Inamdar was posted at Jamkhambhaliya taluka court in Jamnagar district at the time of their suspension.