Who is Justice Rajesh Bindal?

Justice Rajesh Bindal is a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. He was born on 16th April 1961, in Ambala City, Haryana, India, he obtained his LL.B. from Kurukshetra University in 1985, commencing his legal career in the High Court of Punjab & Haryana in September of the same year.

What is the Career Journey of Justice Rajesh Bindal?

• Justice Rajesh Bindal served the Chandigarh Administration in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and represented the Punjab & Haryana regions of the Employees Provident Fund Organization until 2004.
• Notably, he contributed to resolving the Satluj Yamuna Water dispute between Haryana and Punjab.
• He was elevated to the High Court of Punjab & Haryana in 2006, he chaired committees and made significant contributions to legal reforms, including drafting rules for electronic evidence and the Protection of Children (Inter-Country Removal and Retention) Bill, 2016.
• He disposed of approximately 80,000 cases during his tenure.
• He assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice of the Common HC for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Calcutta HC and eventually served as Chief Justice of Allahabad HC before being elevated to the SC on 13^th February 2023.

What are the Notable Judgments of Justice Rajesh Bindal?

• Shree Lakshmi Steels v. Union of India (2016):
  • The bench, also consisting of Justice Rajesh Bindal, was hearing a case upon Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.
  • The bench held that under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 the authority's role was limited to setting port authority rates, while Section 53 restricted the Board to cases seeking charge waivers.
  • The Government's policy directive applied uniformly to customs-detained goods cases, evidenced by the issued certificate; hence, under Regulation 6(1) of the 2009 Regulations binding the Port Trust, customs could waive demurrage charges.
• State of J&K v. Md. Imran Khan (2020):
  • The bench, also consisting of Justice Rajesh Bindal as Acting Chief Justice of J&K HC, directed that all the Courts in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh to avoid disclosing identity of rape survivors in their proceedings and judgments.
  • A further direction was issued to all the health professionals of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and Union Territory of Ladakh to strictly desist from undertaking “two finger test” known as “per-vaginum examination” on the rape survivors.
• Ambika Roy v. The Hon’ble Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Others (2021):
  • It was a case related to the disqualification of member who was respondent no. 2 in the case and decision of the Speaker of West Bengal.
  • The court also consisting of Justice Rajesh Bindal held that the Speaker was required to decide the petition filed before him for disqualification of respondent No. 2 having defected from BJP to AITC, as a result of which his membership to the Assembly itself was in doubt.
• Durgawati Singh and others v. Deputy Registrar, Firms, Societies & Chits Lucknow and others (2022):
  • Justice Rajesh Bindal as Chief Justice of Allahabad HC held that, in cases where facts can be stated to be admitted or indisputable, and only one conclusion is possible, the Court does not pass futile orders of setting aside or remand when there is, in fact, no prejudice caused.
    • This conclusion must be drawn by the Court on an appraisal of the facts of a case, and not by the authority who denies natural justice to a person.
• Creative Garments Ltd v. Kashiram Verma (2023):
  • A bench also consisting of Justice Rajesh Bindal held that, effective relief can be granted to a worker only if the permanent address of the workman is furnished in the pleadings.
• Neeraj Dutta v. State NCT of Delhi (2023):
  • A division bench also consisting of Justice Rajesh Bindal held that, the allegation of demand of gratification and acceptance made by a public servant has to be established beyond a reasonable doubt.