Amritsar, April 4
The ordeal of Mr Ram Krishan, brother of Meera (21), who committed suicide in the court of Sub Judge Maninder Singh in 1995, is over.
Sub Judge Maninder Singh has been dismissed from service on the recommendations of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and orders of the Punjab Governor. Mr Bikramjit Singh, Secretary, Home has informed about his dismissal in a written circular.
The orders read, “Punjab Civil Services (Junior Bench) member Maninder Singh is dismissed under the Punjab Civil Services Rules, 1951, and the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeals) Act under Sections 5 and 8.
The Sub Judge was involved with his steno, Meera, who committed suicide on the afternoon of February 1, 1995, in the courtroom of the Sub Judge here after consuming poison. The local police had registered a case against the Sub Judge.
Those close to Meera had revealed she had been rendered pregnant by the Sub Judge who had refused to marry her. Meera reportedly committed suicide in his presence.
The Sub Judge took Meera to a private hospital where she died due to delay in treatment.
The Bar Association had boycotted the Judge after the incident and threatened to go on strike till the Sub Judge was booked. It was on the lawyers’ insistence that a case was registered.
Mr Ram Krishan, brother of Meera, working as a peon in the local Municipal Corporation, talking to The Tribune said; during the six years of court appearances, I firmly held the belief that the man behind my sister’s misery would be suitably punished. I am a happy man today as justice has been done”.
A letter by his sister dated December 10, 1994, was the evidence that clinched the issue in their favour. The letter revealed Meera was about two months pregnant at that time.
On being suspended, Maninder Singh started practicing law in Ludhiana.
With the recent orders, he has been prohibited from doing so.
