Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has recommended the immediate removal of Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), Nagpur Presiding Officer Pankaj Kumar, after finding that he gave what the court described as an “incorrect and false explanation” during contempt proceedings.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Raj D. Wakode made the recommendation while hearing a contempt petition filed by Pushpa Pradiprao Deshmukh.
The High Court observed that Kumar had shown “willful and deliberate” disobedience of an earlier court order and expressed serious concern over his conduct and understanding of judicial proceedings.
Gold Rate
Aug 8 ,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Dispute Over Seven-Month Adjournment
The High Court had earlier directed the DRT to decide a securitisation application within six months from November 14, 2025, making May 14, 2026 the deadline.
However, when Securitisation Application No. 194 of 2024 came before Kumar on March 24, 2026, he adjourned the matter to October 21, 2026 — effectively giving it another seven months.
During the contempt proceedings, the High Court questioned Kumar about the lengthy adjournment. Kumar reportedly told the court that the parties had not appeared and that he could not decide the matter ex parte.
The Bench subsequently examined the Roznama, the official record of the proceedings, and found that lawyers representing both sides were present on March 24.
The judges therefore concluded that Kumar had provided an incorrect and false explanation before the court.
Court Questions Conduct Towards Borrowers
The Bench said Kumar had been given repeated opportunities to improve his conduct. However, after personally hearing him in chambers on August 6, the judges concluded that he was not suitable to continue as DRT Presiding Officer even for a single day.
The court also raised concerns regarding Kumar’s approach towards borrowers, observing that he appeared to be biased against borrowers and had repeatedly kept interlocutory applications pending until the last moment.
The Bench observed that merely punishing Kumar for contempt would not resolve the larger issue and therefore recommended his immediate removal from the post by the Union Government.
Transfer Suggested If Removal Not Possible
The High Court further recommended that if immediate removal was not possible, Kumar should be immediately transferred from the Nagpur DRT.
Deputy Solicitor General of India Kartik Shukul and Advocate Anup Gilda, representing the Union Government, were directed to communicate the court’s order to the Centre.
The matter has been listed for September 4, when the Union Government is expected to submit a compliance report.
Former HCBA President Advocate Atul Pande welcomed the High Court’s decision, stating that it would help ensure justice for borrowers.
KYC के नाम पर ₹7.5 लाख साफ! #NagpurNews #CyberFraud #CyberCrime #OnlineFraud #KYCScam...
मालिक नहीं मिला तो कर्मचारी पर हमला! #NagpurNews #Crime #KnifeAttack #CrimeNews #MaharashtraCrime
मंगलसूत्र और सोने की मणि चोरी के दो मामले उजागर
वर्धा में ग्राम पंचायत कर्मचारियों का जिला परिषद पर मोर्चा #vidarbhanews #wardha...
नाना पटोले का अमित शाह पर तीखा हमला #vidarbhanews #nagpur #newsupdate #vidarbha...
रत्नागिरी समुद्र तट पर पर्यटकों की कार फंसी #maharashtranews #ratnagiri #newsupdate #maharashtra
