Kerala High Court Suspends Kozhikode Judge Following Allegations of Misconduct Against Woman Employee
Authored By Kiran Raj
In a serious development that has sent ripples through the judicial community, Kozhikode Additional District Judge M. Suhaib has been suspended by the Kerala High Court’s Administrative Committee over allegations of misconduct involving a female office assistant. The High Court, chaired by the Chief Justice, acted on the basis of a detailed report submitted by the Principal District Judge of Kozhikode. The incident, which allegedly involved behavior that outraged the modesty of the woman, occurred last week in the judge’s chambers.
Initially, the response to the allegations saw Judge Suhaib transferred to Vadakara, his hometown. However, this decision sparked widespread opposition among court staff, including senior officers, who questioned the appropriateness of relocating him to a jurisdiction where he was known to have personal ties. Concerns were raised that such a transfer would fail to address the gravity of the allegations and could undermine the integrity of the judiciary’s response to the incident.
The Administrative Committee later decided to escalate the matter following the outcry and evidence presented in the report by the Principal District Judge. Acting decisively, the High Court issued a suspension order, emphasizing the need to maintain public trust in the judiciary. A source within the judiciary remarked, “The Administrative Committee viewed the allegations as a serious affront to the dignity and ethical standards expected of the judicial office.”
What makes this case particularly notable is that the action was taken in the absence of a formal complaint from the woman involved. Instead, the High Court invoked a precedent that permits suo motu action in cases of harassment or misconduct against women, even without a formal complaint.
The gravity of the incident was further augmented by protests from over a hundred court employees, most of them women, who directly approached the Principal District Sessions Judge to express their distress and demand action. Their collective voice highlighted the severity of the allegations and the urgent need for accountability. One of the protesting employees stated, “This behavior is unacceptable, especially in a place meant to uphold justice and fairness. We expect higher standards from those in positions of authority.”
While the Kerala High Court has refrained from making detailed public statements on the matter, sources indicate that a full investigation is underway to ascertain the facts and ensure procedural fairness for all parties involved. The inquiry will also assess the broader implications of the incident on workplace safety and judicial accountability.
