HC suspends judge dealing with CBI cases

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Andhra Pradesh High Court has placed First Additional Special Judge for CBI cases - T. Pattabhirama Rao under suspension after considering some information it received against the judge.

Incidentally, the judge had granted bail to former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy in the OMC illegal mining case in May, while he had rejected bail to IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi, another accused in the OMC scam.

Though, following an appeal by the CBI, the High Court had kept under suspension till June 5 the orders on granting bail to Gali.

Registrar General (Vigilance), who issued the order in this regard on Thursday night, said after considering the information received against the judge, the High Court decided that it was necessary to place him under suspension in public interest, with immediate effect.

While suspending Pattabhirama, the order further said he shall continue to be under suspension till the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings proposed to be initiated.

Suspending the judge under Rule 8(1) of the AP Civil Services (CC&A) Rules, 1991, the HC further directed that Pattabhirama shall not leave Hyderabad without obtaining prior permission from it during the period the order remains in force.

Pattabhirama was appointed CBI court judge in April this year after three Additional Special CBI courts were opened at Gagan Vihar here.

In view of the development, Principal Judge for CBI cases, A. Pullaiah, has been placed in full additional charge of the post of the First Additional Special Judge for CBI cases, the order said.