Bombay High Court Judge, Justice Rohit Deo, made a surprise announcement on Friday when he resigned in an open court, citing personal reasons as the primary factor. The judge, presiding at the High Court in Nagpur, also asserted that he could not compromise on his self-respect, as reported by PTI.
After the resignation announcement, all the matters listed before Justice Deo for the day were discharged. Addressing those present in the court, Justice Deo expressed his apologies and explained that he scolded them with the intention of urging improvement. He emphasized that he never intended to hurt anyone, as they were like family to him. Justice Deo stated, “I am sorry to tell you that I have submitted my resignation. I can’t work against my self-respect. You people work hard.”
Speaking to reporters later, the judge reiterated that his decision to resign was due to personal reasons. He had sent his resignation letter to the President of India, officially informing of his intent to step down from his position.
Notably, in 2022, Justice Rohit Deo had acquitted former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba in a case related to alleged Maoist links. The judge set aside the life imprisonment awarded to Saibaba and observed that the trial proceedings were null and void due to the lack of valid sanction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). However, the Supreme Court intervened and stayed the order, directing the Nagpur bench of the High Court to rehear the case.
In another recent instance, Justice Deo stayed the operation of a Maharashtra Government Resolution (order) dated January 3. The resolution empowered the state to cancel punitive proceedings initiated by the revenue department concerning illegal excavation of minor minerals by contractors involved in the construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.
Justice Rohit Deo was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in June 2017 and was originally scheduled to retire in December 2025. Prior to his judicial role, he served as the Advocate General of Maharashtra in 2016.
While the specific reasons for Justice Deo’s resignation remain undisclosed, his decision has left an impact on the legal fraternity and the High Court. His contributions to significant cases, including the G N Saibaba case, have been noteworthy during his tenure as a judge.
