In a dramatic turn of events, the Punjab and Haryana High Court administration has compulsorily retired Senior District and Sessions Judge Dr. Tejvinder Singh. Days after the retirement recommendation was made, his judicial responsibilities were withdrawn. He was last serving as the Presiding Officer at the Industrial Tribunal in Patiala.
Sources indicate that the recommendation for compulsory retirement has been sent to the Punjab government. As per protocol, once such a recommendation is made, the concerned judicial officer is relieved of all judicial work. The final decision now rests with the state government, which will issue an official notification.
Who is Tejvinder Singh?
Dr. Tejvinder Singh made headlines early in life when he became a judge at the age of just 23, joining the Punjab Judicial Services in 1991. In 1993, he earned a place in the Limca Book of World Records as the youngest magistrate in India. Before joining the bench, he briefly practiced as an advocate in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Kathua Case Legacy
Tejvinder Singh gained national attention in 2019 for delivering the verdict in the high-profile Kathua gangrape and murder case. The Supreme Court had transferred the trial from Kathua to Pathankot to ensure a fair hearing. As District and Sessions Judge there, Singh convicted six individuals, sentencing three to life imprisonment and the other three to five years in jail.
A PhD holder in Law from Punjab University, Chandigarh, Singh was widely respected for his legal acumen and judicial integrity.
If the Punjab government accepts the High Court’s recommendation, Tejvinder Singh’s retirement will be officially notified, marking an abrupt end to the career of one of India’s most notable judicial figures.
