The resignation issue of K Ravinder Reddy, Special Judge in the Nampally NIA court who delivered the judgment in the Mecca Masjid blasts case of 2007
acquitting all the accused, took a new turn on Thursday with the High Court declining to accept his resignation.
It might be recalled that Reddy, Fourth Metropolitan Sessions Judge, had on April 16 acquitted the five accused including Swami Aseemanand saying that the documents and other material evidence placed on record failed to prove the allegations against the accused. The judge indirectly indicted both the investigating authorities, the CBI and the NIA, of failing to gather the required evidence to nail the accused.
Soon after that, the judge, known for agitating for the right of judicial officials, took every one by surprise by announcing his resignation to the judge's post within minutes of delivering the judgment in the 11-year-old case that drew nation-wide attention. This unexpected move of the judge triggered various speculations, including that he had taken the extreme step due to alleged pressure from various quarters with regard to the blasts case.
The judge, apart from sending his resignation to the concerned higher-ups including those in the High Court, also applied for 15 days' leave. However, in a sudden turn of events today, the High Court rejected his resignation, and even cancelled his leave. Consequently, the judge attended to his court duties today as usual.