New Delhi- The Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of Punjab judicial officer Prem Kumar, who was targeted for being from a lower caste and the son of a cobbler. Justice Suryakant stated that caste-based discrimination in the judiciary is a serious issue and must be eradicated. The court upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision to quash Prem Kumar’s dismissal.

Prem Kumar, hailing from Barnala, was appointed as an Additional District and Sessions Judge on April 26, 2014, and posted at the Amritsar District Court. His father was a cobbler, and his mother worked as a laborer. Justice Suryakant praised his perseverance, saying, “Despite coming from a marginalized community, he became a judge through hard work.”

The controversy began when a rape accused filed a complaint with the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that Prem Kumar, during his time as a lawyer, facilitated a settlement for the victim, securing Rs 1.50 lakh.

Based on this, the High Court initiated a vigilance probe, and his integrity was marked as “doubtful” in his Annual Confidential Report (ACR). In 2022, the High Court dismissed him. Prem Kumar challenged this in the High Court, which, in January 2025, overturned the dismissal citing lack of evidence. The High Court then appealed this decision in the Supreme Court.

The bench of Justices Suryakant and N Kotiswar Singh noted that Prem Kumar’s ACR initially reflected good performance, but it suddenly deteriorated after the complaint. The court deemed this a result of discrimination. The Supreme Court ordered his immediate reinstatement, retention of seniority, payment of full salary arrears, and termination of the vigilance probe.

Justice Suryakant remarked, “How long will this continue? He was targeted solely because he belongs to a lower caste. The High Court must treat its officers fairly.” This verdict sends a strong message against caste-based discrimination in the judiciary.