Madras HC Judge Recuses Over Allegation Lawyer Took Rs 50 Lakh Bribe For ‘Favourable Order’

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 14:16 IST

The allegation was made in a communication forwarded by the Union ministry of law, enclosing a representation from the All India Lawyers' Association for Justice (AILAJ).

A judge of the Madras High Court, Justice M Nirmal Kumar, recused himself from hearing criminal petitions after a representation alleged that a senior advocate had taken Rs 50 lakh from a client, claiming it was meant for a favourable order. The allegation was made in a communication forwarded by the Union ministry of law, enclosing a representation from the All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ).

The judge also referred the issue to the vigilance cell.

The issue relates to a criminal revision petition and a criminal original petition filed by N Ganesh Agarwal and Naresh Prasad Agarwal. The petitions are linked to an order passed by the XII additional special judge for CBI cases, Chennai.

On February 5, when the matter came up for hearing, Justice M Nirmal Kumar referred to a communication received by the registry from the Union ministry of law.

The communication included a representation from the All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ), addressed to Justice Nirmal Kumar.

The representation stated that a senior advocate had collected Rs 50 lakh from his client, saying the amount had to be given to the judge in connection with the criminal revision and original petitions heard by him.

It further said that even after the receipt of the amount, no orders had been passed. The representation requested the judge to pass a suitable order in favour of the client or to initiate suitable action. It was signed by the secretary of AILAJ.

Court shares communication

The court shared the communication with special public prosecutor for CBI K Srinivasan and senior counsel for the appellant, Murali Kumaran, who appeared for Gopinath Agarwal.

Murali Kumaran submitted that the allegations in the representation were false and said he was ready to cooperate with any inquiry.

Judge refers matter to vigilance cell

Srinivasan submitted that such representations should not be entertained and that they affect the dignity of the court. He said stern steps should be taken to find the person behind the alleged false representation and to take appropriate action.

Recording the submissions, Justice M Nirmal Kumar said that in view of the specific allegations in the representation by AILAJ, Chennai, it was appropriate to refer the issue to the vigilance cell of the high court.

He said he was not inclined to hear the case. He added that the matter should be placed before the Chief Justice of the high court for posting before an appropriate bench and for issuing directions to the vigilance cell to conduct a search and take appropriate action.

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