Court censures Alibaug judge

Bodhankar passed cryptic orders

The Bombay High Court has passed strictures against an Alibaug sessions judge for repeatedly passing “cryptic” and “perfunctory" orders”.

“I have set aside many orders passed by VG Bodhankar, ad hoc additional sessions judge, Raigad, on the ground that they are cryptic and perfunctory,” Justice V C Daga said in a recent order.

“But, Bodhankar continues to pass similar orders without giving reasons,” Justice Daga said while hearing a bail plea in a civil matter.

Applicant D V Patil had moved the Bombay High Court after Bodhankar ordered him to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs27 lakh and a personal bond for securing release from jail.

Patil had accepted a token amount to sell his property from two prospective buyers. He then left the country for a brief period only to find a plaint lodged against him on his return, for not executing the sale. He sought bail after his arrest. In the HC, Justice Daga observed: “The condition of bank guarantee is not backed by any reason, and I don’t know why the judge put such an onerous condition.” Accepting Patil’s advocate’s argument of asking for a reduction of amount in the bank guarantee, Justice Daga reduced it to Rs10 lakh and granted him interim bail.

Emphasising that judicial orders “should not keep the higher court guessing for reasons”, Justice Daga hoped that no such orders would be received by this court in future.