Kerala HC transfers Kollam family court judge following sexual misconduct allegation
Kollam MACT judge Prasanna Gopalan will take over as Chavara family court judge in the mutual transfer notified on August 20.
Kollam MACT judge Prasanna Gopalan will take over as Chavara family court judge in the mutual transfer notified on August 20.
Kollam MACT judge Prasanna Gopalan will take over as Chavara family court judge in the mutual transfer notified on August 20.
The Kerala High Court, on its administrative side, has ordered the transfer of a family court judge following allegations of sexual impropriety. Judge Udayakumar V of the Family Court, Chavara, has been transferred to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Kollam.
The decision was made after a woman litigant submitted a complaint to the Principal District Judge, Kollam, alleging that Udayakumar made sexually coloured and obscene remarks during a counselling session.
In a mutual transfer order dated August 20, MACT Kollam judge Prasanna Gopan has been posted to the family court. The transfer order, issued by the Registrar (District Judiciary), states that, "In view of administrative exigencies, Sri Udayakumar V, Judge, Family Court, Chavara and Smt Prasanna Gopan, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal Kollam are mutually transferred forthwith.
Sri Udayakumar V shall be relieved from his duties after handing over the charge of his Court to the Judge, Family Court, Kollam. Smt Prasanna Gopan shall hand over the charge of her Court to Sri Udayakumar V and take charge of her new post from Judge, Family Court, Kollam."
The administrative committee of the High Court has also directed the Registrar (District Judiciary) to conduct an inquiry into the allegation. The committee is expected to review the report in the coming week.
(With Bar and Bench inputs)