The SC held that High Courts should ordinarily refrain from...

The SC held that High Courts should ordinarily refrain from passing strictures against judicial officers while adjudicating judicial matters, reaffirming established precedent. In this case, the High Court issued adverse comments against the appellant-judicial officer without affording any opportunity to explain or show cause, thereby violating principles of natural justice. The impugned order was based on a precedent subsequently overruled by this Court. Consequently, the strictures were deemed unwarranted and were expunged. The SC modified the High Court's order accordingly and allowed the appeal.