UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Misconduct on train: Supreme Court stays judge’s reinstatement

Q1. The appeal challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Division Bench order of May 6, 2025 (reinstating a Civil Judge dismissed for misconduct on a train), which the Supreme Court stayed on January 13, 2026, was filed before the Supreme Court by which one of the following?

  • A. The Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh
  • B. The Secretary, Department of Law and Legislative Affairs, Government of Madhya Pradesh
  • C. The Registrar-General of the Madhya Pradesh High Court
  • D. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Court of India

Q2. With reference to the constitutional provisions concerning the subordinate judiciary that frame the dispute over the dismissal and attempted reinstatement of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge, consider the following: 1. Article 233 deals with the appointment of District Judges by the Governor in consultation with the High Court. 2. Article 234 deals with the recruitment of persons other than District Judges to the State Judicial Service. 3. Article 235 vests control over District Courts and courts subordinate thereto in the High Court. 4. Article 237 empowers the Governor to apply the provisions of Chapter VI to any class or classes of magistrates. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Article 233 deals with the appointment of District Judges by the Governor in consultation with the High Court.
  2. Article 234 deals with the recruitment of persons other than District Judges to the State Judicial Service.
  3. Article 235 vests control over District Courts and courts subordinate thereto in the High Court.
  4. Article 237 empowers the Governor to apply the provisions of Chapter VI to any class or classes of magistrates.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the constitutional framework governing the subordinate judiciary that underlies the Supreme Court's stay (January 13, 2026) of the reinstatement of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge, consider the following statements: 1. Article 233 vests the appointment of District Judges in the Governor of the State acting in consultation with the High Court. 2. Article 234 provides for recruitment to the State Judicial Service (other than District Judges) in accordance with rules made by the Governor in consultation with the State Public Service Commission and the High Court. 3. Article 235 vests control over District Courts and subordinate courts, including disciplinary control over judicial officers below the rank of District Judge, in the Governor of the State. 4. Article 236 contains definitions of the expressions "District Judge" and "judicial service" used in Chapter VI. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 233 vests the appointment of District Judges in the Governor of the State acting in consultation with the High Court.
  2. Article 234 provides for recruitment to the State Judicial Service (other than District Judges) in accordance with rules made by the Governor in consultation with the State Public Service Commission and the High Court.
  3. Article 235 vests control over District Courts and subordinate courts, including disciplinary control over judicial officers below the rank of District Judge, in the Governor of the State.
  4. Article 236 contains definitions of the expressions "District Judge" and "judicial service" used in Chapter VI.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q4. With reference to the Madhya Pradesh High Court Division Bench order of May 6, 2025 and the Supreme Court order of January 13, 2026 in the matter of the dismissed Civil Judge (Class-II), consider the following statements: 1. The Madhya Pradesh High Court Division Bench set aside the dismissal of the judicial officer and directed his reinstatement, whereas the Supreme Court stayed the operation of that reinstatement order. 2. While the Division Bench reinstatement was assailed before the Supreme Court, the appellant was the State Government of Madhya Pradesh acting through its Department of Law and Legislative Affairs. 3. The Supreme Court Bench that stayed the reinstatement comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, who orally described the conduct as the "grossest grave misconduct". Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Madhya Pradesh High Court Division Bench set aside the dismissal of the judicial officer and directed his reinstatement, whereas the Supreme Court stayed the operation of that reinstatement order.
  2. While the Division Bench reinstatement was assailed before the Supreme Court, the appellant was the State Government of Madhya Pradesh acting through its Department of Law and Legislative Affairs.
  3. The Supreme Court Bench that stayed the reinstatement comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, who orally described the conduct as the "grossest grave misconduct".
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Under the constitutional scheme invoked by the Supreme Court while staying the reinstatement (January 13, 2026) of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge, the primary authority in whom "control over District Courts and courts subordinate thereto", including the disciplinary control over members of the State Judicial Service below the rank of District Judge, is vested is the —

  • A. Governor of the State, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers
  • B. State Public Service Commission, in consultation with the High Court
  • C. High Court of the concerned State
  • D. Supreme Court of India, exercising plenary superintendence under Article 142
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