Justice V.B. Gupta Retires

Justice V.B. Gupta of the Delhi High Court bid farewell amidst a Full court reference this week. Justice Gupta, was born on November 25th, 1948. After completing his schooling, he pursued Four year’s specialized Diploma Course in Hotel Management from Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, Delhi. After working for few months in leading hotels of India, he left this profession. He completed his graduation from Delhi University and later on obtained LL.B. Degree from Delhi University in 1972 and was enrolled as an Advocate on 09.10.1972. 

After practicing at Bar in Delhi for few months, he qualified for Delhi Judicial Service and was appointed as Sub-Judge on 01.02.1973. After a tenure of five years as Sub-Judge, was appointed as Metropolitan Magistrate dealing with Economic Offence Cases pertaining to Essential Commodities Act, Income-tax Act and Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. Thereafter, he worked as Addl. Rent Controller and Presiding Officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT). 

In 1991, he was promoted to Delhi Higher Judicial Service and was posted as Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, dealing with Economic Offence Cases under the Companies Act and Income-tax Act.

In 1992, was appointed as Special Judge, CBI and remained as Special Judge for about eight years. During this period, he dealt with corruption cases against public servants. 

In 1996, while working as Special Judge (CBI) was appointed by name by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to deal with “Jain Hawala” cases, exclusively. Later on, worked as Matrimonial Judge for a period of one and a half year, simultaneously, holding the additional charge of Director, Judicial Officers’ Training Programme. 

He was instrumental in establishing Delhi Judicial Academy at Karkardooma Court, Delhi and in February, 2002 was appointed as its first Director. During his tenure as Director, he developed various type of courses for Judicial Officers and carried out training programmes for them. He also started Journal of Delhi Judicial Academy and was its first Editor. In November, 2003, the then Hon’ble Chief Justice appointed him as Registrar General of this Court, where he continued till October, 2005.

In February, 2006, he was posted as Judge Incharge, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi. In July, 2006 was appointed as District & Sessions Judge, Delhi.

On 09.01.2007, was elevated to High Court of Delhi, as an Additional Judge and was made Permanent Judge of this Court on 01.09.2008. Retired on 24.11.2010.

Very interestingly, in a 2007 case, he found the order of a Sessions Court Judge amounting to contempt of court, and said as much in his order. The Sessions Judge had issued a warrant of arrest against an accused meant specifically for absconders, although the accused's bail application was pending. So angered was Justice Gupta by this order that he ordered the sessions judge to go back to law school.

"Since Mr R K Tewari does not have even elementary knowledge of the Code of Criminal Procedure, under these circumstances it would be appropriate if he undergoes a refresher course at the Delhi Judicial Academy in criminal law and procedure for three months. Director, Delhi Judicial Academy, should submit to this court the performance report with regard to this judicial officer," said Justice Gupta's order. However, contempt proceedings were not actually filed against the sessions judge.

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The Legal Blog