Justice Rohit Deo, a judge of the Bombay High Court, announced his resignation on Friday, citing personal reasons and not wanting to work against his self-respect.Addressing an open court in Nagpur, where a high court bench is located, Justice Deo expressed his inability to compromise on his self-respect, according to a lawyer present at the scene.After the announcement, cases scheduled before Justice Deo for the day were adjourned.“Those who are present in the court, I apologise to each one of you. I scolded you because I want you to improve. I dont want to hurt anyone of you because you all are like family to me and I am sorry to tell you that I have submitted my resignation. I cant work against my self-respect. You people work hard,” Justice Deo told the lawyers in the courtroom, who were reportedly stunned by the sudden decision.Subsequently, Justice Deo explained to reporters that he chose to resign for personal reasons and has already sent his resignation letter to the President of India.Bombay HC judge who resigned acquitted GN Saibaba, halted Maha Govt ResolutionJustice Deo has been involved in various landmark judgements. In 2022, he acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba in a case involving alleged links to Maoists. The judge set aside Saibabas life imprisonment, noting that trial proceedings lacked valid sanction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and declaring it null and void.The Supreme Court later stayed this decision, directing the Nagpur bench of the High Court to reexamine the case.Recently, Justice Deo stayed the implementation of a Maharashtra Government Resolution issued on January 3. The resolution empowered the state to annul punitive actions initiated by the revenue department regarding the unauthorised extraction of minor minerals by contractors engaged in constructing the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway.Justice Deo assumed the role of a Bombay High Court judge in June 2017 and was slated to retire in December 2025. Prior to this, he served as the Advocate General of Maharashtra in 2016.Advocate Nihal Singh Rathod, who frequently appeared before Justice Deo at the Nagpur Bench, told the news outlet The Hindu, “Justice Deo was a very bold and courageous judge. He was very judicious and always encouraged young lawyers to do better. His resignation is a loss to the judiciary.”
