Delhi High Court Orders Attachment of District Judge Rakesh Kumar to Delhi Judicial Academy

The Delhi High Court ordered the attachment of District Judge Rakesh Kumar to the Delhi Judicial Academy on May 17, 2026. The decision to relieve Kumar of his judicial duties followed the circulation of a video on social media that captured a heated courtroom exchange between the judge and a lawyer.

According to an order released by the High Court Registrar General, the decision was made by the Chief Justice and other High Court judges. Rakesh Kumar, who served as District Judge-04 for North-West Rohini, has been attached to the Delhi Judicial Academy in a diverted capacity.

The administrative move comes after a video went viral showing a confrontation in the courtroom. In the footage, an advocate, described as a Bar leader, is heard accusing the judge of using a derogatory word against him. The lawyer is further heard instructing the judge not to misbehave, while the judge responds by telling the lawyer not to threaten him.

The Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations Delhi reacted to the incident by describing the behavior of the judge as “highly objectionable and unbecoming conduct” toward an advocate during the week.

In response to the incident, the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations Delhi called for a suspension of judicial work across all district courts in Delhi on May 18, 2026.

As part of the restructuring following the order, District Judge Dheeraj Mittal has been appointed to replace Rakesh Kumar. Mittal previously served as the Additional Director in the Delhi Judicial Academy.