Nagpur: A recusal plea filed against Justice Anil L Pansare of the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has come under close judicial scrutiny, with the court directing contemnor Pramod Manmode to produce documents and explain the basis of his allegations against the judge.
A Division Bench of Justice Anil L Pansare and Justice Nivedita P Mehta passed the directions while hearing a contempt petition after Manmode approached the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and the Administrative Judge of the Nagpur Bench seeking Justice Pansare’s recusal.
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Manmode alleged that Justice Pansare could be prejudiced against him and, therefore, might not be in a position to decide the matter impartially. He was present in court when the issue was taken up and confirmed that he stood by the allegations contained in his application. The Bench took the physical copy of his application on record.
Society membership at centre of allegations
Manmode’s principal allegation relates to Justice Pansare’s alleged association with Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co-operative Society Ltd. He claimed that the judge had been a member of the society since May 28, 2003, and had obtained loans from it for a two-wheeler and a house property.
According to Manmode, both loans were subsequently repaid, but a dispute allegedly arose during settlement of the accounts, resulting in a quarrel and an exchange of words.
He further alleged that Justice Pansare had subsequently ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the affairs of the society. Manmode claimed that the order was challenged before the Supreme Court, which modified it and directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Rather than accepting the allegations at face value, the High Court has now sought documentary material to determine whether the circumstances cited by Manmode could actually give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias.
Court asks for specific proof
The Bench directed Manmode to explain how Justice Pansare’s alleged membership of the credit society could prejudice the judge against him.
It also asked him to provide a list of cases in which Justice Pansare had allegedly appeared for or represented the society. He has further been directed to produce documents establishing the closure of the loan accounts.
The court also ordered Manmode to file an affidavit setting out complete details of the alleged dispute with Justice Pansare, including when the incident occurred and the nature of the alleged exchange of words.
Allegation concerning Justice Vyas rejected
The Bench also dealt with another allegation raised by Manmode concerning Justice Rajnish R Vyas. The court noted that the matter had been listed before Justices Pansare and Vyas on June 11, but no effective hearing took place as the matter was adjourned at the request of the lawyers. When it was listed again on July 1, Manmode appeared in person.
Justice Vyas subsequently took note of the circumstances and recused himself from the matter.
The Bench rejected Manmode’s allegation that the case continued before the Bench at the instance of Justice Pansare, observing that there was “absolutely no substance” in the allegation.
Court questions timing of allegations
The Bench also took note of the fact that Manmode had not disclosed the alleged dispute with Justice Pansare at an earlier stage.
According to the court, the alleged quarrel dated back to 2007-08, yet Manmode did not raise the issue when the present Bench first dealt with the matter on February 23, 2026.
The court observed that the allegations appeared to be an afterthought and indicated that the attempt seemed aimed at avoiding a Bench on which Justice Pansare was sitting.
The Bench stressed that such an attempt ought to be stopped at the initial stage.
Manmode has been granted one week to submit the required documents and affidavit. The matter has been posted for further consideration on September 1.
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